Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture and Food has given an update on the progress made with the European Commission over the ineligibility of lands used for the production of potatoes and fruit and vegetables for the purposes of the Single Payment Scheme.

The EC has proposed the ending of this restriction as part of proposals for the reform of the fruit and vegetables regime by making lands used for potato and fruit and veg production eligible from 2008 for the single payment.

Mary Coughlan said that while the proposals are welcome, her officials have been in ongoing discussions with the EC over finding a solution to the 2007 problem.

The reform will not be completed in time for the 2007 single payment, meaning land use for fresh produce growing will not gain any SPS entitlements this year.

Coughlan said that her department has received confirmation from the EU that it is considering a proposal to address this issue.

The proposal would provide that unused entitlements in 2007 could not be lost to the National Reserve in 2007 on the grounds of non-usage where the number of unused entitlements was equal to or less than the number of hectares used for the production of potatoes and fruit and veg declared by the applicant this year.

Coughlan believes such an amendment would be of particular benefit to potato growers wishing to consolidate their entitlements in 2007.

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