Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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484. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that contracts are being terminated where soil sample analyses are late even by a few days, even though soil sample analysis can take ten days to complete and weather conditions can cause delay under the agri-environment options scheme. [17024/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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AEOS is a voluntary scheme and to remain in the scheme all participants must abide by the terms of their contracts. Soil Samples are an integral part of AEOS contracts. The Terms and Conditions state that in the case of AEOS 2 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2011 , soil samples must be taken between 1stJanuary 2010 and 31stMarch 2012 , this was subsequently extended to 31stMarch 2013. AEOS 3 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2013 must have taken soil samples between 1stJanuary 2011 and 31stMarch 2014.

Applicants were then required to submit a declaration to the Department stating that the soil samples were taken within the permitted time frame and in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme before payment in respect of the first full contract year would be processed.

Termination of contracts have occurred where either the soil samples were not taken, or where a declaration stating that the soil samples were taken in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme was submitted, but subsequently found to be untrue.

There is an appeals process in place which can be accessed by any person who feels that they have been unfairly treated by my Department.

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will apply a period of grace on the deadline for submission of soil analyses under the agri-environment options scheme or under the basic payment scheme. [17025/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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AEOS is a voluntary scheme and to remain in the scheme all participants must abide by the terms of their contract. Soil samples are an integral part of AEOS contracts. The Terms and Conditions state that in the case of AEOS 2 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2011, soil samples must be taken between 1stJanuary 2010 and 31stMarch 2012, this was subsequently extended to 31stMarch 2013. AEOS 3 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2013 must have taken soil samples between 1stJanuary 2011 and 31stMarch 2014.

I do not envisage making any further changes to the timelines set out above. There is no requirement to undertake soil analysis under the Basic Payments Scheme.

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