Agriculture Minister proposes changes to Agri-Environmental Scheme
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has confirmed that he is to propose two significant changes to the new €50 million Agri-Environment Options Scheme to the European Commission, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney. 31/03/10Welcoming the confirmation from Minister Smith, Deputy Blaney said he is hopeful that the proposed changes will be received positively by the Commission.
“Minister Smith has been meeting with representatives from the farming organisation and I, along with many of my Oireachtas colleagues, have also relayed to him the concerns that farmers have been bringing to us about the new Scheme.”
“I am glad that he has taken our concerns on board. He is making two proposals to the European Commission.”
“The most notable change is in relation to the payment for Natura Land. It provides for an increase in the payment per hectare from €75 to €150. The restrictions imposed on the designated land through this element of the Scheme necessitated this increase I believe, and I am hopeful that this change will be brought on board.”
“It’s specified in the Scheme that Species-rich grassland may not be fertilised. Minister Smith has accepted that this is an onerous restriction and he will be making the case to the Commission to change the specification and to allow small amounts of chemicals and some supplication of organic fertilizer.”
“The Minister has also clarified the interpretation of many details in the Scheme, including the need for a sustainable management plan. Its’ proposed to change this in cases where farmers have n commonage and no Natura areas, apart from the rivers designated as Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. The change means that these farmers can now choose not have to get sustainable management plans prepared as long as they selected water quality as their priority objective under the scheme.”
“In the draft specification, there was a limit to the number of livestock units that a farmer could have under the “rare breeds” measure. This limit is being removed.”
“In relation to Traditional Hay Meadows measure, Minister Smith has decided that there will be no specific prohibition or restriction on the application of phosphorus or potassium and this will be left up to the farmer himself.
“Another point that has been raised by many farmers relates to the possibility of allowing farmers with Natura land to apply for the NPWS Farm Plan scheme on that land and apply for the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme on their non-Natura land. The present position is that the rules for the NPWS scheme do not allow for a farmer to be in both schemes. This is a matter for both the Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Minister Smith said that he will discuss the issue with Minister Gormley.”
“Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will hold meetings around the country in the coming weeks for people wishing to participate in the Scheme. The new Scheme will provide €50 million to Irish farmers and I am hopeful that the changes being discussed by Minister will be positively received by the farming community,” concluded Niall Blaney TD.
