Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
935. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the farmers' rights charter; his plans to review the effectiveness of its operation; his further plans to expand on the contents of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2920/20]
View answerA Farmers' Charter of Rights is currently in place. It covers the period 2015 to 2020 which matches the duration of the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The current Charter was agreed between the Farm Bodies and my Department and sets down agreed target timelines for delivery of payments in respect of the schemes operated by my Department. My Department is fully committed to upholding the targets set out in the Charter and meets quarterly with representatives of farming organisations to monitor that these targets are being met.
CAP negotiations are ongoing and agreement has not been reached at this time. Indications are that there will be a transition period and it is envisaged that the current Charter will remain in place until such time as the new CAP has been agreed. At that point, my Department will commence discussions with the farming organisations on agreeing a new Farmers' Charter of Rights.
