Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said “there are no plans to reverse” the decision taken to allow donkeys to account for only 50% of the stocking density in the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.
“Following consultation with stakeholders in advance of the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, it was decided to introduce changes in the scheme stocking requirement in relation to donkeys.
Stocking density
“With effect from the 2020 ANC scheme year, only 50% of an applicant's stocking density can be fulfilled using donkeys and the balance must be fulfilled using other eligible animals,” Minister Creed said.
He added that the change was highlighted in the terms and conditions document of the 2019 ANC scheme in order to give sufficient lead-in time to applicants who may need to amend their stocking patterns.
“There are no plans to reverse this decision,” he told Niall Collins TD in a parliamentary question.
Change
Last week, Minister Creed said he is not in favour of changing the stocking rate requirements for farmers to qualify for payment under the ANC scheme.
Currently, farmers in ANC must maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for seven consecutive months to qualify for payments.
Responding to questions in the Dáil on Thursday from Fianna Fáil’s Jackie Cahill TD and Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, the Minister said a change to the requirements could affect cattle sales.
Read more
Neigh-more donkeys
The A-Z of new townlands eligible for ANC payments
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said “there are no plans to reverse” the decision taken to allow donkeys to account for only 50% of the stocking density in the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.
“Following consultation with stakeholders in advance of the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, it was decided to introduce changes in the scheme stocking requirement in relation to donkeys.
Stocking density
“With effect from the 2020 ANC scheme year, only 50% of an applicant's stocking density can be fulfilled using donkeys and the balance must be fulfilled using other eligible animals,” Minister Creed said.
He added that the change was highlighted in the terms and conditions document of the 2019 ANC scheme in order to give sufficient lead-in time to applicants who may need to amend their stocking patterns.
“There are no plans to reverse this decision,” he told Niall Collins TD in a parliamentary question.
Change
Last week, Minister Creed said he is not in favour of changing the stocking rate requirements for farmers to qualify for payment under the ANC scheme.
Currently, farmers in ANC must maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for seven consecutive months to qualify for payments.
Responding to questions in the Dáil on Thursday from Fianna Fáil’s Jackie Cahill TD and Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, the Minister said a change to the requirements could affect cattle sales.
Read more
Neigh-more donkeys
The A-Z of new townlands eligible for ANC payments
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