Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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416. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to tackle the unfair and discriminatory proposed entry requirements for the GLAS scheme for hill farmers on commonage; if he will take steps to reduce the 80% collective agreement clause that has been proposed before the final draft is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26994/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since I first proposed the 80% participation level on Commonages to qualify under Tier One of GLAS, I have further reviewed the position and I announced on 13 May 2014 that I was building in a second-tier access to the Scheme where a minimum of just 50%participation could be secured. The collective agreement will apply only to active farmers. I believe this will significantly ease the burden of securing agreements, while at the same time providing a critical mass for management of the commonage which can be expanded upon in future years.