Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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633. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered extending the GLAS scheme for existing participants in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33153/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The 10^thamendment to the Rural Development Programme was recently approved by the EU Commission.  It provides for the possibility for the extension of the GLAS scheme in 2022.  As with all relevant Rural Development schemes, consideration of an extension will be subject to the availability of national funding through the annual budget process in the autumn.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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634. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the REAP scheme; the number of successful applicants; the last agri-environmental scheme that successful and unsuccessful in which applicants took part in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33154/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The number of applications received under the Results-Based Agri Pilot Project (REAP) project are provided below. I was very pleased both with the application rate and to have secured places for almost 5,000 of these which was significantly above the original projection of 2,000.

There are a number of agri-environment initiatives under the current CAP in which there are successful and unsuccessful applicants.  This is normal in any scheme which the Department runs for farmers. However, REAP is a standalone pilot project which is not directly comparable to the main RDP schemes as it is a pilot initiative to trial potential measures for inclusion in the next RDP.  REAP is an ambitious, farmer-friendly initiative that will help the environment and support family farm incomes. 

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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635. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum and maximum stocking rate for participation in the organic farming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33155/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Organic Farming Scheme payment is computed on the basis of a minimum stocking rate of 32.5 kg per hectare per annum of livestock manure nitrogen.  This is the equivalent of 0.5 suckler cows per hectare, which is an extensive stocking rate.

Farmers not achieving this stocking level receive payment on a pro-rata basis. A minimum stocking level is considered important in organic production systems for effective grassland management, to ensure productive swards and to maintain and improve biodiversity. It also means supply of organic produce meeting supply chain requirements and consumer demands.

The maximum stocking rate allowed is 170 kg per ha per annum of livestock manure nitrogen. A level of farming above 170 kg per hectare per annum is considered to be intensive farming and therefore not compliant with organic farming Regulations.