Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the recent changes in land eligibility for the Basic Payment Scheme, if he has considered an amnesty for those farmers who have been penalised under the old Single Payment Scheme rules; if so, the outcome of the deliberations; if an amnesty and-or refund is being granted, does the farmer need to apply for it and for other associated clawbacks and-or penalties, for example under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, or will these be automatically refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22547/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Basic Payment Scheme and the Greening Payment replaced the Single Payment Scheme with effect from January 2015. The requirements in relation to land eligibility under these and other Direct Payment Schemes are contained in Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 and differ from the requirements under the Single Payment Scheme. The new requirements implemented in Ireland essentially provide that agricultural land must be maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries.

As the new requirements are applicable from 1 January 2015, it is not legally possible to apply these provisions to the land declared for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes in 2013. It is, however, open to farmers, who had deductions or sanctions imposed on their payments under the 2013 LPIS Review to request a review of their case if they have not already done so. If they are not happy with the outcome of the review process, they have the option of submitting an appeal to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee.