Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
713. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a series of matters in relation to a modelling exercise by his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26211/21]
View answerThe modelling exercise referred to was published in response to some of the possible proposals for direct payments in the new CAP that are emerging as part of the trilogue process. Answering the specific questions:
1. The Commission have instructed that the value of payment entitlements must be calculated with reference to the current entitlement unit value plus greening and therefore the calculation method used here is reflective of that methodology. As the Deputy points out, farmers will be able to apply for the eco-scheme which will be a separate scheme to their BISS payment and entitlement value(s). It is important to note that the direct payments ceiling is a closed fund – every allocation within that ceiling affects all the other schemes within it. Therefore, allocating funds to any measure means that the funding for other measures are affected.
2. There is no mistake in table B in the document and the data in the document is explicitly clear. The current entitlement values will change to reflect the new BISS ceiling that will result after the funds for all other direct payment interventions are allocated (including eco-schemes) starting in 2023, and then will continue on their convergence path to 2026. So, in the example referenced, the initial value in 2023 is €125.27, and this rises through convergence to €160.71 in 2026. As the Deputy has pointed out, a farmer will also be able to apply for support under the eco-scheme measure.
