Disadvantaged Areas – Summary of main Changes for 2012

In order to qualify in the first instance the farm must have met a stocking density in 2011 for 3
consecutive months of 0.3lu/ha.

In 2012 you must have 0.15lu/ha for a 6 month consecutive period and/or an average of 0.15lu/ha
over the whole year.

However provision is made for farmers who could not meet the stocking rate criteria i.e. they are in
REPS/AEOS, where Commonage Framework plans apply, ill health, animal disease, new entrants
etc.

Stocking rate calculation – cattle over 2 years = 1lu; cattle 0-2 years = 0.6lu; sheep including ewe
hoggets = 0.15lu.

Where a farmer’s main holding is in the disadvantaged areas, payment will apply on all hectares
designated. For farmers whose main holding is outside the DAS then payment will apply in
proportion to the amount of land in DAS vs. non DAS. Additionally to qualify for disadvantaged
areas the land must be within 80km of the main holding where main holding is outside DAS to
qualify.

There are also changes to the definition of eligible horses for stocking rate calculation.
Department of Agriculture details on the Changes to Disadvantaged Areas Scheme 2012
The changes to the rules governing the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are outlined in the following paragraphs.
Terms & Conditions booklets are currently being prepared and will be issued in the coming days to each individual
land owner whose farm is wholly or partially classified as Disadvantaged.
The proposed changes are as follows:
Requirement to have met a stocking density of 0.3 lu/ha in 2011
In the first instance, the applicant is required to have met a stocking density in 2011, for three consecutive months, of
0.3 livestock units per forage hectare. However, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking
density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of
adherence to lower stocking by Agri-environmental measure, such as a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plans,
Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) or Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). All applicants,
whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given
the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures
resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided
for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
Minimum Stocking Density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare in 2012
While the minimum stocking density remains at 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare, the applicant must meet the
minimum stocking requirement for six consecutive months during the scheme-year. In addition, the stocking density is
calculated over the twelve months of the scheme-year. Again, there will be a continued recognition of farmers, who
will not meet the minimum stocking requirement due to the impact of Agri-environment measures, including the
NPWS Review, which has established stocking densities for all commonages, Rural Environmental Protection
Schemes (REPS) and Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).
Differential Rate of Aid
Where the applicant’s main holding/residence is situated in a non-DAS area and where some of that applicant’s land
declared is non-Disadvantaged land, a digressive of aid will be payable, on the ratio of non-Disadvantaged/Disadvantaged
lands farmed. The only exception will be those whose home holding/farm is in a disadvantaged area and who acquired
land in a non-disadvantaged area. In these instances no reduction in aid will apply on the payment for the DAS area.
Inclusion of horses from equine breeding enterprises and donkeys
While horses will no longer be eligible for the stocking density calculation, equine breeding enterprises will continue to
be eligible on the basis of the contribution they make to the local economy. Equine breeding enterprises are defined
as follows: an applicant must, in the first instance, be an equine breeder and have bred a foal, from a mare registered
as on the applicant’s holding in 2011, in either 2009, 2010 or 2011, which was registered in a Stud Book approved by
the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam). Furthermore, the
premises of all who meet this criteria must be registered with the
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with S.I. No. 8 of 2012, Diseases of Animals Act 1966
(Registration of Horse Premises) Order 2012.
Where these criteria are met, the following equines will then be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation
for the 2012 Scheme:
All equines aged one year to five years, (aged using 1 January), registered in the name of the applicant and
maintained on his/her holding;
Breeding mares, registered as having been on the applicant’s holding in 2011, that have bred an appropriately
registered foal in either 2009, 2010 or 2011.
Donkeys will be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation where the animals in question are
appropriately registered and in respect of which the relevant identification documentation has been issued, showing
the animal(s) concerned as being in the ownership of the given applicant.
Distance from main holding
Where the applicant’s main holding/residence is situated in a non-DAS area, land situated more than 80 kilometres
from an applicant’s main holding is not eligible under the 2012 Scheme.
EU Commission agreement
As these proposals have yet to be approved by the EU Commission, they may be subject to change.