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// Coveney defends use of 2011 densities in 2012 scheme

 He said, “On the retrospective payment issue, people tell me all the time in respect of the 2014 reference year for the CAP, for example, that if one intends to set a reference year, one must set it in the past and not in the future because otherwise everyone simply would change behaviour in the future.

“This is the reason I picked the most recent year in the past, 2011, to be the reference year.”

“This is not about retrospective change, but is about setting a reference year to distinguish between people who should be getting a full DAS payment and those who should not.”

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has defended his decision to use 2011 stocking densities in setting qualification for the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme.

“Were one simply to change it for this year, everyone would simply have increased their stocking rate to have the bare minimum necessary to draw down a payment,” he said.

“The department was trying to save money and to distinguish between those who should be getting a full payment and those who should not.”

He confirmed that the changes relating to eligibility that he is applying to the scheme have not changed since budget day, and the process of approval by the European Commission was proceeding as normal.

By Stephen Cadogan

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Irish Examiner