Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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448. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 357 of 14 November 2017, if the listing of animals for stocking is determined at national level or European level; the reason alpacas are not included; if he will reconsider the eligibility rules to include alpacas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49219/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The stocking density requirements under the Area of Natural Constraints Scheme are defined by the Member State in agreement with the European Commission. The existing stocking density requirements can be satisfied by cattle, sheep, goats, deer and equines.

The ANC scheme is currently subject to a redesignation process under EU regulations which will see eligible areas defined by biophysical criteria. This new scheme was originally intended to be introduced for 2018. However, a proposal for a one year extension of this deadline to 2019 is presently under consideration at EU level as part of a range of regulatory changes under what is termed the "omnibus Proposal". It is not intended to introduce any changes to the stocking requirement of the Scheme at this stage given that a new Scheme will be designed following the redesignation process.