John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 278: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in respect of single farm payment and agri environmental option scheme. [40647/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2011. Processing of the application has been finalised in recent days with full payment issuing today, 15 December 2011. The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, had to be completed before any payment could issue. The chosen AEOS actions of the person named are Wild Bird Cover and Tree Planting Whips, payment for which is due for 2011 onwards. The application of the person named was randomly selected for an on farm inspection and my Department is now finalising the examination of this case with a view to resolving all outstanding issues as quickly as possible.

Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 279: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to the proposed septic tank legislation being dealt with by the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government, if he will confirm that if an inspector goes out and they form the opinion that the septic tank in a farmer's place is not up to the required standard that in no instances will that person's farm payments be ceased immediately; if he will confirm that the new legislation will not affect direct payment to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40676/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Single Payment Scheme it is a requirement of all applicants to comply with the cross compliance requirements relating to 18 Statutory Management Requirements (SMR's) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC).

There are a number of environmental and protection of water provisions - SMR2 relates to the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances, SMR3 relates to the protection of the environment and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture and SMR4 concerns the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. Controls relating to the use of sewage sludge from local authority treatment plants where applied to agriculture land form part of these cross compliance requirements.

My Department in implementing the provisions of the Single Payment Scheme is not responsible for checking the functioning of domestic septic tanks. The inspection and control of domestic septic tanks is not part of the regime governing the operation of the Single Payment Scheme.