Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
1005. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that proposals for increasing co-financing for the second pillar of the CAP would most disadvantage the poorest farmers, less developed regions and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8115/21]
View answerCo-financing for Pillar II in the CAP was agreed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council in July 2020, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals for the 2021 - 2027 programming period. The overall MFF was subsequently agreed with the European Parliament in December 2020.
The MFF agreement sets out the EAFRD contribution rates to be established in Member States' CAP Strategic Plans. This includes 43% of the eligible public expenditure in what is known as 'other regions'. Ireland fought very hard to maintain the current EU co-financing rate of 53%, but, as with any negotiation process, compromises had to be made. The MFF agreement also sets out that the minimum level of EAFRD co-financing is 20%, while a higher 80% co-financing rate will apply for environmental and climate related commitments. Therefore, the overall level of co-financing for the EAFRD in the next programming period will be very much dependent on the types of measures Member States wish to support in their CAP Strategic Plans for the 2023-2027 period.
EAFRD spending for 2021 and 2022 will be programmed under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2022. The EAFRD allocation for 2021 and 2022 of €692m and EURI funding of €190m is now available for programming in the extended transitional period. The RDP provides funding based on national programmes and all farmers have an equal opportunity to apply for funding regardless of their location.
The 2023-27 CAP Strategic Plan will see a strategic planning process at a national level, with funding available to farmers in all parts of the country, as before. All expenditure under current and future programmes will be subject to the national budgetary process.
