Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
593. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the EU farm to fork strategy specifically details forestry related measures for potential inclusion in new eco or environmental schemes in the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/21]
View answerThe Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) which is the EU strategy for sustainable growth. The F2F Strategy is at the heart of the EGD: it addresses the challenges of sustainable food systems and recognises the links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will help this sustainability transition and strengthen the efforts of European farmers to tackle climate change and protect the environment. The draft CAP regulation currently offers farmers a number of ways to contribute to our climate and environmental ambitions, including through eco-schemes and agri-environment climate measures.
Trialogue negotiations between the Commission, European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, aimed at reaching a final agreement on the new CAP have now concluded. While political agreement has been reached, further work remains on technical details of the proposed reforms and the final shape of the new legislative framework will now be examined carefully.
The development of measures, including individual actions on tree planting, is an ongoing process. My Department remains available to engage with all stakeholders to discuss any ideas on any aspect of next CAP.
I will continue to work to achieve the best possible outcome for Irish farmers.
