Written answers

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Commonage Framework Plans

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the decision to remove a commonage for eligibility in GLAS and BPS payments can be reversed in view of the fact that the lands are being actively used; the status of the appeal lodged by a number of stakeholders (details supplied) on the commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22854/18]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is obliged to ensure that lands declared for payment under the various areas based schemes meet the conditions of eligibility.  These conditions are clearly set out in the BPS/ANC Terms and Conditions sent to all applicants on an annual basis and are also covered in the Guide to Land Eligibility sent to all applicants in 2015. 

The Department is required annually to review imagery to ascertain if there are any ineligible features being declared for payment.  The lands in question, based on an internal risk assessment process, were selected for a ground inspection in 2017.  The result of this inspection determined that the lands were not being actively farmed and hence did not meet the definition of eligibility as set out in the Terms and Conditions.

An appeal has been received in my Department from the applicant's adviser with regard to the result of the inspection in 2017.  The appeal is currently being considered and officials from my Department will be in contact with the applicants in due course.

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