Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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17. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that there are no further cuts to the disadvantaged area scheme and reverse the cuts imposed to date including the restoration of payments on the first 45 hectares. [35176/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The adjustments made to recent DAS Schemes ensured that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:

- To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;

- To maintain the countryside;

- To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.

Rather than simply apply an across the board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area as a means to achieving these savings, it was decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme. These are ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental enhancement measures.

Following a review at EU level the Less Favoured Areas Scheme was replaced as part of the overall agreement on the CAP Reform Package agreed during the Irish Presidency in June 2013. The new Scheme, to be known as Areas of Natural Constraint, is to be delineated by Member States using soil and climatic criteria as defined in the Regulation. In Ireland’s case, the three most relevant criteria are SMD (soil saturation), shallow/stony soils and slopes. As part of the agreement reached between the EU Institutions including the Council and European Parliament, Member States have until 2018 to designate the areas based on the agreed criteria.

It was accepted that pending the outcome of the Review and the implementation of the new designations that the provisions of the existing Scheme should remain in place during the interim period. The proposals included in the 2014-2012 Rural Development Programme are that the existing level of aid continue to be paid to farmers situated in Less Favoured Areas. It has also provisionally being decided that the ANC Scheme will have a funding of €195 million per annum, which is the same as the 2013 and 2014 level of funding. The minimum farming activity remains at 0.15 livestock units per hectare with a lower rate of 0.1 livestock units per hectare applying to marginal land including commonages. A lower level will be fixed for marginal land where it is environmentally justified.

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