Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
45. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce total convergence as part of the new scheme replacing the current basic payment and greening schemes under the new CAP 2021-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33546/20]
View answerConvergence is a mandatory provision in the current CAP programme. Since 2015 those with higher value payment entitlements have seen these values reduce while those with payment entitlements with a value less than 90% of the national average payment entitlement value have seen an increase.
Under the proposals for the 2021-2027 CAP, the Basic Payment Scheme will be replaced with a new Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS). The Council General approach agreed at the October Agri-Fish Council proposes that convergence to at least 75% of the national average payment entitlement value will be mandatory for Member States. Under the proposals, increases in the value of payment entitlements must be financed by reducing the value of payment entitlements in excess of the national average. Separately, the European Parliament has proposed mandatory convergence to 100%. Final agreement on the level will depend on the outcome of the trilogue process.
My Department will continue to examine the options presented during the negotiations in order to achieve the best possible outcome for farmers.
