Grass
Minister Heydon has stated that he is "very conscious" of the importance of ensuring that land eligibility rules remain flexible for farmers.
Agri-Business
A new Guide to Land Eligibility and a new Explanatory Handbook for Conditionality Requirements have been published by the DAFM.
EU officials are expected to meet the Department of Agriculture early next year to discuss a potential fine for "land eligibility failings".
Ireland is in line to face a multi-million euro EU fine for land eligibility irregularities, it has been claimed.
The Department of Agriculture is remaining tight lipped over the implications of the recent High Court judgement on an inspection appeals case.
A group of farmers, known as the Disadvantaged Farmers Legal Challenge, which plan to take the Department of Agriculture to court over land eligibility concerns insist they 'haven't gone away'.
Environment
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has criticised the Department of Agriculture for its handling of ineligible features on many Irish farms.
The threat of land eligibility inspections is now a major stress factor for many farmers.
To date, some 10,932 appeals from farmers have been received by the Department of Agriculture of which 9,927 applications are finalised
The group known as the Disadvantaged Farmers Legal Challenge are set too take the Department to court in the coming weeks over land eligibility concerns.
Agri Politics
Discussion are continuing in European over the European Commissions decision to fine Ireland €181m over land eligibility irregularities.
The INHFA has again taken issue with the Department over its handling of land eligibility inspections that affected over 60 hill farmers in South Galway.
Farm advisers and consultants who assist farmers in submitting their direct aid applications will receive training on land eligibility from this week.
The Department of Agriculture has recently produced a guide to help farmers understand and comply with the rules on land eligibility for EU farm schemes.
The Department of Agriculture has announced clarification on the rules for Land Eligibility under the Direct Payment Schemes.
There is no discrimination in relation to the inspection of commonage and private land, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has said.
Some 10,918 appeals under the LPIS have been received by the Department of Agriculture to date, according to the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.
A working group, to address 'issues' with land eligibility is needed according to the Irish Natura and Hill Farmer Association.
