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Common Agricultural Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Questions (267)

Matt Carthy

Question:

267. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the allocation will remain within the Irish pillar 1 envelope in cases in which farmers do not apply or qualify for the eco scheme element of pillar 1 in the next CAP; if so, the way redistribution will be organised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/21]

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Written answers

The green architecture is a key element of the CAP trilogue negotiation process and has been the subject of much debate between the three institutions. My ambition is to protect the incomes of our farm families through a fair and flexible CAP.

The Council position includes the proposed introduction of ECO schemes into the system of direct payments. A ring-fenced budgetary amount for ECO schemes of 20% of the direct payment budget has been proposed by Agriculture Ministers, with a two-year 'learning' period permitted at the start of the CAP Strategic Plan, to allow Member States avoid any loss of unspent funds due to lower-than-expected take-up of ECO schemes. The Parliament’s approach is more prescriptive. They are seeking that 30% of Direct Payments be directed to ECO schemes and that there would be no learning phase.

Member States must introduce ECO schemes but farmers can choose whether to apply. However, participation in ECO schemes will allow farmers maximise their payments. A significant concern for all Member States, is the potential loss of unspent funds in the case of low uptake by farmers and recent discussions are focussing on how to mitigate this risk. This is not a situation I want to see.

While I welcome the introduction of ECO schemes in the next CAP, I have been consistent in my approach that I cannot accept a potentially serious risk to the loss of CAP funding with the introduction of new ECO schemes if Member States do not have the necessary flexibiltiy to manage this.

Trilogue discussions are still ongoing and final agreement on the CAP, including the green architecture, is dependent on the outcome of this process. My officials and I are continuing to work hard to ensure that the result of the CAP negotiation process will have the best possible outcome for Irish farmers.

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