Written answers

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

GLAS Administration

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in resolving the outstanding issues in relation to participation by farmers with commonage in the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6415/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly I would like to point out that my priority is to put in place requirements for commonages that will deliver real and measurable environmental benefits and will fit within the framework of the Rural Development Regulations. In order to achieve these benefits, it is clear that the management of our commonages must be carried out in a cohesive and integrated manner. The best mechanism to do so is a common plan, drawn up by one Advisor who takes the individual circumstances of each shareholder into consideration and assigns stocking levels appropriate to the individual farmer, within the context of the overall needs of the commonage. I have met with various hill-farmer representatives on all of these issues, I have listened very carefully to their concerns and I am now very confident that we can deliver a successful implementation strategy for these commonages. I have taken account of the issues raised and have now provided that a farmer may apply individually to join GLAS on the commonage or commonages on which they farm. I also know that the question of being excluded from the Scheme because the 50% participation rate is not reached needs to be addressed . Therefore I have made it clear that in these situations inability to reach that target will not prove a barrier to entry to the Scheme.

My focus now is to secure Commission approval of the Rural Development Programme at the earliest possible date so that I can open GLAS to applications.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.