Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria used by his Department's inspectors during inspections under the land parcel identification system to determine whether sufficient agricultural activity is present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10437/15]

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

Applicants under the Direct Payment Schemes and other area based schemes are obliged to carry out an agricultural activity on the land declared for aid. The governing EU regulations define an agricultural activity as the production, rearing or growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes and maintaining an agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation. In practical terms this means growing a crop for harvesting, growing hay/silage for use on the farm or for sale or grazing the land with farm animals. It can also include topping of the vegetation on the land.

All parcels of land declared for aid must be fully utilised by means of such agricultural activities. Where it is determined that land parcels or parts of parcels are not subject to an agricultural activity, they cannot be accepted as eligible for payment.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

284. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria used by his Department's inspectors in determining under-utilisation when carrying out inspections under the land parcel identification system and land eligibility inspections on sites with Natura 2000 designations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10438/15]

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

Applicants under the Direct Payment Schemes and other area based schemes are obliged to carry out an agricultural activity on the land declared for aid. The governing EU regulations define an agricultural activity as the production, rearing or growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes and maintaining an agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation. An applicant is free to choose an activity that best suits their farming enterprise and if s/he so wishes can choose to just top the land

Where an officially approved environmental management plan under the Birds or Habitats Directives requires certain management practices to be conducted on agricultural areas, such management practices will take precedence in determining the level of agricultural activity to be conducted on agricultural areas declared for payment.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department did not carry out the appropriate assessment process in advance of making significant reference area reductions on Cloghaun, Kilbeg, Kilnagappagh, Gortnaglev, Derrybrien West, and Keelderry commonages, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10439/15]

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

In excess of €1.5 billion is paid annually to approximately 130,000 farmers in Ireland under the EU funded or partially funded Direct Payments and Agri-Environment Schemes. Under the governing EU Regulations, all applications must be subjected to verification checks to ensure their accuracy and their adherence to the requirements of the EU Regulations. The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) database is used to verify the accuracy of the areas declared for payment. My Department has an obligation to ensure that the data stored in the LPIS database in accurate.

The findings of ground/satellite eligibility inspections, LPIS ortho-imagery assessments and map changes submitted by individual farmers are used to update the LPIS database. The commonages referred to were assessed for the reasons outlined. Determinations were made on the area declared in order to establish the level of ineligible features and areas where no farming activity was being conducted. The claimants on the commonages in question have been informed in writing of the outcome of the assessments and their right to seek a review or appeal of the findings.