Donkeys eligible in DAS rules
Speaking in the Dáil, Tom Fleming, Independent TD for Kerry South, asked Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney what provision he made for donkeys in eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation for 2015.
Mr Coveney said donkeys will continue to be eligible for inclusion in stocking density calculations where animals are appropriately registered in the name of the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme 2015 applicant, and maintained on his or her holding.
The premises of all who meet these criteria must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with Control on Places where Horses are Kept Regulations.
Applicants must maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the 2015 Scheme year.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that 7,079 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme applicants were still awaiting the first instalment of their payments, Mr Coveney told the Dáil on December 18. The average Disadvantaged Areas Scheme annual payment is 2,100.
Mr Coveney said delayed payment will not issue to all 7,079, as some will not satisfy stocking rate and retention requirements in the scheme (which becomes the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme this year). Counties where most applicants were awaiting their first instalment were Donegal (911 applicants), Galway (835), Kerry (648), and Mayo (1,085).
