Wallace updates on  Revised Rural Development Programme

22nd January 2010

Meath East TD Mary Wallace has been informed by The Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD, that Ireland’s revised Rural Development Programme (RDP) has been approved by the EU Rural Development Management Committee meeting in Brussels this week.

 "This revised Programme provides for spending of additional monies for rural development arising under the Health Check and the European Economic Recovery Package. It includes the new agri-environment scheme as well as a number of new on-farm investment schemes.
The new agri-environment scheme will benefit up to 10,000 participants and will provide a maximum payment of €5,000. It is focused on the areas of biodiversity, climate change and water management. Farmers can choose from a menu of measures which complement the environmental profile of their farms. Details of the operation of the new agri-environment scheme will be finalised over the next few weeks.

It will be of great interest to Meath farmers as it covers measures for dairy and sheep farmers, pig and poultry welfare measures and a water conservation scheme. It also has establishment grants for bio-energy crops. The next step is formal approval of the European Commission which is expected by the end of February. The roll-out of the various investment schemes will be phased over the lifetime of the Programme.

 
I look forward to seeing the details in the coming weeks" concluded Deputy Mary Wallace