Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

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4.5.7 Environment Enhancement 4.5.7.1 Nitrates The Government will engage with the main farming organisations and other interests over the coming months on the development of the detailed provisions of the action programme for implementation of the Nitrates Directive. The Farming Pillar will participate fully in this process of consultation. In the context of the regime soon to be adopted to transpose the provisions of the Nitrates Directive, the Government will also use the flexibility in the Directive to seek to secure European Commission approval for limits of up to 250 kg/ha per annum to be allowable in appropriate circumstances. The Government will ensure that proportionate measures to prevent and reduce water pollution are taken by all sectors and that an undue or disproportionate burden is not placed on the agriculture sector. Recognising the importance of the Nitrates Directive and its impact on certain farmers, a number of initiatives shall be taken in the context of optimising the use of available EU and national budgetary resources as follows: ■ Carry out a complete review of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). In this review, a priority aim shall be to encourage greater participation by farmers in REPS. It is intended to seek approval in negotiation with the EU Commission and based on analysis of the underlying data, for payment rates of €200 for the first 20 hectares, €175 for the next 20 hectares and €70 for the next 15 hectares (i.e. cumulative up to a maximum of 55 hectares per holding). ■ The Farm Waste Management Scheme also plays a significant role in environmental protection. To support the greatest possible level of investment the Government in consultation with the EU Commission shall introduce changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme at the earliest possible date, in particular increasing the income and investment level ceilings. ■ The income ceiling shall be increased to 450 income units and the investment ceiling shall be increased to €75,000. Standard costings shall be updated. The possibility of adjusting or removing the current minimum income limit shall continue to be pursued with the EU Commission. The investment ceiling for the Dairy Hygiene Scheme shall be increased to €50,000. ■ The Government will establish an Independent Appeals Committee to deal with appeals put forward by farmers regarding the destocking percentages on Commonage Framework Plans. Destocking on commonages is being operated in line with the 1998 agreement with the Commission under which REPS Measure A payments are made. The operational arrangements including the possible separation of green land shall be included as an element of the REPS review. 4.5.7.2 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) The Government will review the European Communities (Natural Habitat) Regulations 1997 under which Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated. This review will include issues of procedure (including consultation and compensation for restrictions arising from the Regulations) on which farming interests have raised concerns, and the formalisation of the role of the SAC Appeals Advisory Board, including extending the Board’s remit to consider refusals of consent for operations or activities in designated areas. The Government envisages that the need for and extent of future SAC/SPA and natural heritage area (NHA) designations will be quite limited compared with designations already in operation. Chapter 4 Building, Maintaining and Sharing Economic Development and Prosperity 57
Chapter 4 Sustaining Progress 58 The designation of land for nature conservation is not intended as a prohibition on future development. The Government is particularly mindful of the need, in the interests of sustainable development, for a considerable expansion of afforestation and renewable energy developments in rural areas. Planning policy guidelines will be updated to address the integration of such development with nature conservation. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) has updated the policy framework in relation to rural housing development. More detailed planning policy guidelines on rural housing, building on the NSS, will be issued by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government later this year. Applications for payment of forestry grants in SACs/SPAs will be considered on their merits and proposals, which do not have significant negative effects on the environment, will not be opposed on environmental grounds. The Government is fully committed to continuing consultation with the main farming organisations about managing nature conservation requirements. These discussions may address the possibility of new measures, agreements or incentives for positive and environmentally friendly management of designated areas, particularly those designated for very specific or specialised conservation purposes. 4.6 Animal Health Continue measures to reduce disease levels in the national herd. Value for money reviews of expenditure will be carried out during 2003 with a view to identifying savings while protecting consumer health, animal health and animal welfare and complying with statutory requirements. In the light of these efficiencies disease levies will be reviewed from 1 January 2004. Programmes will be pursued: ■ to eradicate Brucellosis; ■ to further reduce the incidence of Bovine Tuberculosis; and ■ to apply all control measures fully and effectively to further reduce the incidence of BSE. The current system of Sheep Identification will be reviewed in the light of the forthcoming statutory provisions at EU level. In discussions at EU level, the Government shall seek the adoption of the most practical identification system in keeping with consumer protection and animal health requirements. 4.7 Adapting Agriculture To Change As agriculture operates in a rapidly changing and complex environment, responding to change is vital. The following actions will be taken: ■ The Agri-Food 2010 Committee’s Report will be re-examined and updated in the light of developments under the Mid Term Review and WTO. In this context, a full review of farm incomes and competitiveness issues in the sector shall be implemented. The format of this re-examination shall be agreed with the Farming Pillar. ■ Structural change shall continue to be encouraged, for example through schemes such as the Installation Aid Scheme and the Early Retirement Scheme. The potential of long term land leasing shall also be considered.
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Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

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