Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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808. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the current review of the disadvantaged areas payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26894/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.

Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:

Low temperature

Dryness

Excess soil moisture

Limited soil drainage

Unfavourable texture and stoniness

Shallow rooting depth

Poor chemical properties

Steep slope.

My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Officials have also been in contact with the Commission to discuss technical issues arising.

Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.