Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regards to the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, GLAS, the reason the presence of heather on a plot has meant that the plot is ineligible for the low input permanent pasture option of the scheme; if this decision will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18674/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the main actions for grazing land under GLAS is ‘Low Input Permanent Pasture’, which is designed to preserve and enhance old permanent pasture-lands. It is an attractive option for extensive farmers who may choose up to 10 hectares at a payment rate of €314 per hectare. As with all options under GLAS, farmers are required to respect the management requirements set out in the detailed GLAS specifications accompanying the Scheme, and any other instructions or clarifications issued by the Department. In the case of Low Input Permanent Pasture this means that heather cannot be present in the area selected for the delivery of this action. The Low Input Permanent Pasture specification is quite detailed in terms of a restriction in chemical Nitrogen application to 40kg per hectare per annum, the selection of suitable pasture(s) which contain less than 30% ryegrass, along with at least four other grass species that are dispersed throughout the parcel. Heather is not a grass species.

In addition, the parcels must also have been declared as forage for the last 8 years on the GLAS applicants SPS. There are also other restrictions in terms of cutting hay/silage and specific topping dates. These conditions are aimed at ensuring suitable Low Input Permanent Pastures receive payment in GLAS based on income foregone and costs incurred in accordance with EU Regulation 1305/2013.