Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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378. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on EU regulation 1306/2013 (Art. 75(1)(4)); and the way in which from 2018 payments will be made by 30 June the following year. [19756/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The provisions of Article 75 of Regulation 1306/2013 were amended by Article 2 of Regulation 2017/2393. Consequently, the deadline of 30 June of the following calendar year  for payments to beneficiaries of rural development measures, as defined in Article 67 of the amended regulation, will now apply in respect of aid applications or payment claims submitted from claim year 2019 rather than claim year 2018 as previously stipulated.

This amendment was introduced to address issues arising from the harmonisation of payment deadlines for area-related payments between the EAGF and the EAFRD and the additional flexibility provided by the extension of the transitional period by another year is to be welcomed.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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379. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations that apply to the yellow card approach for land eligibility inspections and cross-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19757/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No. 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council provides that where a Cross Compliance breach is deemed to be minor in nature and remedial action is taken, no monetary sanction will apply.  

The "Yellow Card" provision in relation to land eligibility checks is prescribed in Article 19a of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 640/2014 and applies to those cases where a determined over-declaration in area is greater than 3% or 2 hectares, but does not exceed 10%. For such cases the penalty will be further reduced by 50%, subject to specific additional criteria.  This provision applies to the applications under the Basic Payment Scheme, the Young Farmers Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme only.

My Department applies both of these provisions.