Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the concerns expressed by various farmers-organisations throughout the country in respect of the various revised farmer support payments have been examined with a view to accommodating their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49421/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is in the process of implementing the Schemes that form part of the reformed CAP regime following the agreement reached during the Irish Presidency in June 2013. The Schemes include the Basic Payment Scheme, Greening Payment, the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, GLAS and many other measures, which will be implemented with effect from 1 January 2015. I can confirm that all stakeholders , including the farming organisations, have been fully consulted on an ongoing basis during the implementation process. The focus is now on putting in place schemes that can be operated efficiently and effectively and that will ensure that payments are made to farmers on a timely basis under the various measures.

For example, I initiated a process of consultation in July of 2013 with the farming community, all farming organisations and other relevant stakeholders to ascertain their views on the most appropriate application of the Direct Payment Regulation in light of Ireland’s unique agricultural profile and circumstances. The results of this consultation process were taken into account when formulating the final shape of direct payments in Ireland for the period 2015 to 2019.

In recent months, the Direct Payments Advisory Committee, consisting of the main farming organisations and farm advisory bodies, has been consulted regarding the detail of the implementation of the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. The decisions relating to the setting of objective eligibility criteria in relation to these Schemes reflects the views of this Committee.