Department to clarify CAP land eligibility rules
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced yesterday that his department is publishing a booklet with details of the characteristics of the agricultural land that will be deemed fit for grazing or cultivation.
“This is a very important year for farmers in submitting their applications under the direct payment schemes. In order to protect their payments, under these schemes, farmers should ensure that the areas they declare for payment are fully eligible for payment,” he said.
A copy of this booklet will be issued in the coming days to all farmers and will be available on the department’s website. The department has also put in place a helpline to assist farmers who may have questions on land eligibility.
The contact number is 0761 064425. Mr Coveney said there are some changes under the new CAP to the requirements governing the eligibility of land and other related matters.
His officials have worked closely with the EU Commission with a view to establishing a set of requirements which are clear and workable from the point of view of farmers as well as other interested parties, including his department.
The department has also arranged information meetings (8pm to 10pm) on land eligibility for advisers and consultants, starting at the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim tomorrow.
They will continue at Hotel Kilkenny, (May 5), Charleville Park Hotel, Co Cork, (May 6), and Mullingar Park Hotel, Co Westmeath (May 7).
