Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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644. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the evidence of agricultural activity needed to qualify for the basic payment and greening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In order to draw down payment under the Basic Payment/Greening Scheme an applicant  must have an “eligible hectare” to accompany each entitlement held. In this context, the definition of an “eligible hectare” is land that is used for an agricultural activity and it also includes maintaining an agricultural area in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation. More specifically an ‘Agricultural Activity’ means:

a) The production, rearing or growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes.

b) Maintaining an agricultural area in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation.

Maintenance can be achieved by topping, keeping the hedgerows maintained and by preventing the development of scrub and maintaining drains.  In 2015 my Department  produced a very detailed Guide to Land Eligibility, which has been provided to all Basic Payment Scheme payment applicants. This guide gives clear and concise guidance on what is expected of farmers and includes examples of cases where the level of maintenance is such that the land can be deemed eligible.