Written answers

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Schemes

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1149. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14729/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There are two related issues regarding the loss of entitlements by the person named.

The herd number for the person named was transferred to another person on 07/03/2019. However, the parties involved did not submit a transfer of entitlements application to transfer the entitlements. Therefore, these entitlements remained with the original herdowner (the person named), and as no BPS was applied for by that person over a two year period, the entitlements reverted to the National Reserve in 2020.

Secondly, no Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications were submitted by the new herdowner in 2019, 2020, or 2021.

The person named was notified of the loss of entitlements through non-usage on 05/07/2021, and replied to this notification on 14/07/2021 citing health issues, but did not provide any supporting evidence.

The EU Regulations governing the BPS state that all entitlements allocated under the Basic Payment Scheme (including the National Reserve) are subject to a two-year usage rule. This means that each farmer must ensure that s/he uses 100% of their entitlements claimed at least once out of every two consecutive years. Any entitlement that remains unused for two consecutive years will revert to the National Reserve and be lost permanently by the farmer. In addition, these Regulations are very clear about late applications and the reductions that apply to such late applications. Once 30 days have passed from the original closing date, the reduction is the full amount applied for and no funds will issue.

My Department will contact the persons involved to discuss the matter and explore their options.

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1150. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider allowing a derogation on GLAS plans for this year in order that farmers are not constrained regarding land use (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14756/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am examining a range of issues as part of an overall response to the potential need for additional fodder stocks this year. I am also engaging with stakeholders as part of this response. I expect to be making further announcements on some initiatives to assist farmers later this week.

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options that are available for a person (details supplied) who state that they were never made aware of the option to move from AEOS to GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri- Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) was introduced in 2010 and ran until 2018 under four separate tranches. The Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) was launched in 2015, under Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, as the successor to AEOS.

I can confirm that all participants in AEOS were offered the opportunity to join GLAS. Information on the GLAS scheme which was made widely available as was evidenced by the uptake by over 50,000 participants. A series of information meetings was held at the launch of GLAS in 2015 and full details of the option to transfer to GLAS were made available to AEOS participants. Information on the option to move from AEOS to GLAS was also provided in the press, and by Department staff at various fora.

The new Agri Environment Climate Measure is an option that will be available to the person named and further details will be made available shortly. The proposed scheme, along with the other proposals in Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan, requires the formal approval of the EU Commission and may be subject to change.

Details of the proposals for new CAP together with details of a series of ongoing information meetings for farmers, that may be of interest to the person named, are available on my Department's website.

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