Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Direct Payment Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his efforts and recent successes in easing the burden on farmers experiencing difficulty with land eligibility issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45895/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In implementing the new CAP, my Department was mindful of the need to ensure that the implementing provisions relating to land eligibility were the most appropriate in the context of land types found in Ireland and to provide as much flexibility as possible to farmers.

It was decided that, in Ireland, the most appropriate mechanism to provide this flexibility was to define those characteristics to be met by an agricultural area in order to be deemed maintained in a state suitable for grazing.

In order to assist farmers, my Department published a Land Eligibility booklet, which details the characteristics of agricultural land that is deemed in a state fit for grazing or cultivation. A copy of this booklet issued to all farmers.

Furthermore my Department applied the EU legislative provisions for the use of a pro rata system which may allow for up 10% ineligible areas within parcels without payment reduction.

My Department will continue to pursue, at EU level, options for further simplification of Direct Payment Schemes under the ongoing simplification process.

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