Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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525. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current payment rates and payable areas will change for 2018 areas of natural constraint, ANC, payments to farmers after the current areas of natural constraint scheme review is complete that will introduce a new system for designating eligible areas from 1 January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5556/17]

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.  This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process.

Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC which in turn will be used in any assessment of a new ANC scheme from 2018 onwards.  It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops. 

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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526. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate for mountain type land on the payable area for the first ten hectares or part thereof by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5557/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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527. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate on the payable area for mountain type land for remaining eligible hectares, greater than 10 ha up to a maximum of 34 ha, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5558/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate for more severely handicapped lowland on the payable area of 30 ha or part thereof subject to an overall maximum of 30 ha, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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529. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate for less severely handicapped lowland and coastal areas with specific handicaps, on the payable area of 30 ha or part thereof subject to an overall maximum of 30 ha, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5560/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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530. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase all current payment rates for areas of specific constraints such as islands, according to current payable area criteria, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5561/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.