Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2014
3. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will specifically recognise high nature value farming under the Common Agricultural Policy; if so, the measures he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26236/14]
View answerThis question concerns high nature value farming. Does the Minister intend to recognise this in the Common Agricultural Policy? It is particularly important to the north west, where the most low-impact farming will take place. What measures will be introduced to support it?
High nature value, HNV, farming is farming that supports the objective of having highly diverse species and habitats and maintains bio-diversity in the agricultural landscape. Under the rural development programme, RDP, currently being finalised by my Department, I am proposing to support HNV farming specifically and biodiversity in general through a number of measures.
In the draft programme, I have included plans for a new agri-environmental scheme that will deliver payments to farmers for delivery of environmental goods. This new green, low-carbon, agri-environment scheme, GLAS, will incentivise 50,000 farmers to focus on priorities such as biodiversity, water quality and climate change and will have an annual budget rising to €250 million per year.
Under the scheme, priority access is being given to farmers within Natura areas, which constitute the majority of our HNV farmland. In addition, the scheme will include a number of other biodiversity options that support HNV-appropriate farming. Specific measures such as conserving traditional hay meadows and permanent pastures, supports for establishment and management of hedgerows and the creation of wildflower margins and planting of small woodlands are all included, along with measures directly targeting specific bird species, bees and bats. Conservation plans for privately owned Natura land and commonage will also be supported.
Additionally, payments to farmers in areas of natural constraints provide support for HNV farming while the organic farming scheme will also be available to such farmers.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
A financial provision of €70 million over the RDP period is also being made available for targeted agri-environment initiatives. This innovation will initially target two identified priorities, both of which are HNV focused, an expansion of the Burren farming for conservation scheme and a targeted scheme supporting the conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel in priority catchments.
The Government’s continuing commitment to strategic investment in the agri-food sector and the rural economy is evidenced by the provision of matching funding to bring the total allocation for the new RDP to over €4 billion. This constitutes a very significant commitment to the rural economy.
I plan to submit Ireland’s draft RDP to the European Commission at the end of June. Following this, it is expected that a period of negotiation will take place in the subsequent months.
It is vital that GLAS recognise and be directed towards high nature value farming or farming on marginal farms, basically in the north west. While the scheme will target 50,000 farmers, it will be nationally based. The farmers in the north west need a scheme that is more focused on them and which provides additional funding for them, recognising the difficulty in maintaining farm incomes in their area and the value that accrues for the State in general from preserving the environment and biodiversity. I ask that GLAS be pitched more towards these types of farmers so they can receive the maximum amount of funding. One is talking about a maximum annual payment through GLAS of approximately €5,000, which is similar to the payment under the AEOS. If the matter is dealt with in this blanket way, it will not recognise the value of high nature value farming to the State.
The Deputy and the joint committee were briefed on it. The Deputy's points were well made and they were illustrated at the meeting last night. While no definite decision has been made, I will certainly take those points on board.
