Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made with the new charter of rights for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14666/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Negotiations on the new Farmers’ Charter are at an advanced stage. However, there are some areas that require further discussion. My Department is seeking to achieve agreement with representatives of the main farming organisations on these remaining areas. As you will be aware, a round of CAP Information meetings took place recently throughout the country. These important meetings required the involvement of key officials from my Department. As a result, progress in negotiations on the Farmers’ Charter was somewhat delayed.

The Farmers’ Charter Review Group is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General from my Department and comprised of senior Department officials and representatives of the main farming organisations. The aim of the Review Group is to agree standards and delivery targets for the schemes and services provided by my Department to all its clients including farmers. These standards and targets form the basis of the Farmers Charter.

Upon finalisation of the new Farmers’ Charter, a Charter Monitoring Committee will be established under an independent chair to monitor agreed targets and commitments.