138 Deputy Noel Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the maximum number of participants that will be allowed to join the new agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3680/10]

The amended Rural Development Programme which included proposals for the new agri-environment scheme, was agreed by the EU's Rural Development Management Committee on 20 January and I hope to secure formal approval from the European Commission for the scheme in the next few weeks. The new scheme will focus on the priority objectives of biodiversity, climate change and water management. The scheme will be launched once formal Commission approval has been obtained. It will provide for a five year contractual period and the number of participants will depend on the level of interest among farmers, the number of applications received and, ultimately, the funding provided for my Department in the annual Estimates process.