I propose to take Questions Nos. 730 to 732, inclusive, together.
The European Commission recently published its proposal for a revised European Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 alongside the emergency European Recovery Instrument (‘Next Generation EU’). Both instruments are inextricably linked and when considered together, represent a significant advance compared to the Commission’s original MFF proposal in May 2018.
Under the 2014-2020 MFF, the total amount allocated to the 28 EU Member States under the CAP, in current prices, was €404 billion (€302.8 billion for the EAGF and €101.2 billion for the EAFRD). Adjusted to reflect the departure of the UK from the EU, the corresponding figure for the EU27 was €375.4 billion (€280.3 billion for the EAGF and €95.1 billion for the EAFRD). The amount originally allocated to Ireland in that period was €10.680 billion - €8.49 billion for the EAGF and €2.19 billion for the EAFRD.
In May 2018, the EU Commission proposed an allocation of €365 billion, in current prices, for CAP in the period 2021-2027. This equates to €286.2 billion for the EAGF and €78.8 billion for the EAFRD.
The revised MFF proposal for the CAP, presented in May 2020, brings funding levels to some €375 billion, in current prices. A further allocation of €16.5 billion to EAFRD spending from the new Next Generation EU fund brings the total allocation to €391.5 billion for the period 2021-2027 - €290 billion for Pillar I and €101 billion for Pillar II.
It is also important to note that the latest budgetary proposals have been set out only at the overall EU-27 level, with the breakdown for Member State allocations not yet clear.
The latest proposals from the Commission also set out a reinforced Just Transition Fund, with substantial additional funding of €30 billion being added, bringing the total amount to €40 billion. This funding is intended to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the transition towards climate neutrality in the most affected regions, and forms part of the EU’s overall Green Deal. Details of the new proposals are still being examined, but the current understanding is that the European agriculture sector will not benefit from funding under the Just Transition Fund.
My Department is continuing to thoroughly analyse the proposals so that we can fully understand the precise implications for our agri-food sector.