Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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744. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if snail producers in the State can be recognised as farmers and included in green and low-carbon grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58276/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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While the current agri-environment measure, namely the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS), is closed to new entrants, it should be noted that the eligibility requirements included being the holder of an active herd number with Herd Owner status and also having all lands farmed declared in the applicant's name on my Department’s Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS). It is envisaged that the new agri-environment climate measure (AECM) in Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan will have similar requirements.

To register as a snail farmer, a person must obtain a herd number for their holding (land used for farming purposes) from my Department.

When applying for a herd number, snails must be declared under “other”. Snail farmers who intend to process snails must be registered as a snail farmer with their local Department Regional Veterinary Office and they must also be registered as a meat establishment with my Department’s Meat Hygiene Division.

If a person farming snails has eligible hectares and a herd number, they can submit an application for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). The BPS does not differentiate between types of farms.