Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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368. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a commonage framework plan remains valid after its implementation date expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15549/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Commonage Framework Plans establish recommended grazing levels to protect against both overgrazing and undergrazing of commonage land. These r ecommendationsin turn form the basis for the new management regime apply ing to commonages under GLAS, unless a sound scientific assessment for alternative stocking rates is provided by a Commonage Advisor.Commonage farmers who join GLAS must then respect the grazing levels outlined in the irnew Commonage Management Plan s for the duration of their contract period. Once individual GLAS contracts expire , the relevant provisions of the Plan – including the individual sto cking requirements - continue to apply to those commonage farmers who remain in GLAS.

While individual stocking requirements are not a condition of the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers should bear in mind that commonage land must be maintainedin eligible condition to continue to qualify for payment under that scheme.