Farm waste management scheme deadline plea

THE Government has come under pressure to extend the deadline for completion of farm waste management schemes by another year beyond December 31.

Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has accused the Department of Agriculture of putting its own self-imposed deadline on completion of grant-aided work on farms.

In reply to a question tabled by Mr Higgins, Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel stated: “The EU legislation related to support under the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy does not provide a specific deadline to complete EU grant-aided farm buildings.”

Mr Higgins called on Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith to extend the terminal date to the end of December 2009.

“There are 40,000 approval notices gone to farmers, but for many it will be impossible to meet the December deadline because of the late approvals, difficulties and delays in getting planning permission and pressure on contractors,” said the MEP.

In the Dáil, Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Martin Ferris called for a debate on the need to extend the scheme, saying many farm works will not be completed.