Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
319. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure a clear and enforceable definition of an active farmer is provided in the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44399/21]
View answerIn the Department’s recent public consultation on the Proposed Interventions in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, I sought opinions on a number of key definitions, including that of the Active Farmer.
While the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) is still under development, the draft CSP regulations outline that “Active Farmer” must be defined in such a way as to ensure that support is granted to farmers engaged in at least a minimum level of agricultural activity. Our current definition comprises a "negative list", excluding areas such as golf courses and airports.
The Department is examining the feedback from the public consultation and is considering the best approach to this issue, including in the context of whether a farmer in receipt of support is bearing the economic and agricultural risk for the activity on their declared land.
