EU approval sought for disadvantaged cut

EQUINE breeding enterprises or other commercial horse enterprises can still go towards the 0.3 livestock units per hectare in respect of 2011 and subsequent years, in the disadvantaged areas scheme.

However, horses in general are excluded.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the approval of the EU Commission is being sought for technical adjustments to the qualifying criteria, proposed by the Government in a bid to save €30m in funding the scheme. It is proposed that funding for the 2012 scheme is cut from €220m to €190m.