08/01/2004

DARD inform farmers of EU rate cut

The Department of Agriculture has called on local arable farmers’ to take advantage of the European Commission’s recent announcement to reduce the compulsory rate set-aside under the Arable Area Payments Scheme from 10% to 5% for 2004.

The decision to halve the rate to 5% under a EC Council Regulation is to help counter the effects of the reduced supply of cereals on the EU market resulting from the severe drought in the main production regions of the Community in 2003.

The situation is expected to cause a significant reduction in closing stocks for 2003/2004 on the Community market. A normal 2004 harvest would not be expected to lead to a significant increase in stocks, while another poor harvest would expose the internal market to potential serious risks.

In order to qualify for arable area payments under the existing EU direct aid scheme (AAPS) farmers are required to set-aside a certain proportion of their arable land.

The default rate of 10% is laid down in Council Regulation 1251/99 and a Council decision is required to amend it.

(MB)

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