Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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308. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who own or work land designated as sanctuaries for hen harriers and who are on an agri-environment options scheme, will move directly to the green, low carbon agri-environment scheme when it commences, or if they will have to wait for the agri-environment options scheme to be completed first. [6053/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As is the case under AEOS the protection of hen harrier habitats is a key objective of GLAS and farmers in these areas will be given priority access to the scheme. The transitional arrangements for farmers already receiving support under AEOS are under consideration in the context of the detailed rules applying to GLAS and my primary concern in this regard is to ensure that farmers continue to conserve and maintain these valuable habitats.