Some 836 people used donkeys as part of their stock in order to qualify for Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme in 2016, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has said.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív this week, the minister said that last year 2,878 donkeys were accounted for under the scheme.

Data in respect of the 2017 scheme year will not be available until year end.

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“The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme forms part of the 2014 to 2020 Rural Development Programme, and has replaced the previous Disadvantaged Areas and Less Favoured Areas Schemes.

“Eligibility requirements under the new ANC scheme have remained largely the same as under the previous schemes, with some minor adjustments.

“The requirement to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectares, calculated over the 12 months of the scheme year has been maintained,” Minister Creed said.

He added that donkeys continue to be considered for inclusion in the stocking density as per the terms and conditions of the scheme.

The minister did not say whether he intends to change the eligibility rules for donkeys under the ANC scheme for 2018.