Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
79. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that is being provided for the roll-out of the new CAP Strategic Plan to support farm investment and encourage climate and biodiversity action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53171/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I received Government approval in early October for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023 to 2027. The Plan will support and improve the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the agriculture sector, for the benefit of farm families and rural communities.
The Plan has an indicative budget of €9.8 billion. There is a strong focus on the environment, which is reflected in the budget as well as in the choice of interventions, or schemes, and the level of ambition. In fact, just over €4.5 billion, or 45% of the budget, is allocated to environmental measures.
Of note in this regard is the new, more targeted, approach being taken in relation to direct payments, where 25% of the budget is to be allocated to a new Eco-scheme. This scheme will have a budget of approximately €1.5 billion over the 2023-2027 period, equating to €297 million per annum. It will encourage more than 120,000 farmers to deliver a range of farming practices that are beneficial to the climate and biodiversity.
Last week I announced the opening of applications for the new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). This will have a budget of €1.5 billion and will focus on supporting 50,000 farm families as well as enhacning our environment.
The new Organic Farming Scheme also opened last week. It has a significant budget of €256 million over the period, which is a five-fold increase on the previous CAP. It aims to triple the area of land under organic production, from 2% to 7.5%, by 2027.
The plan also provides €260 million to increase the carbon efficiency of the suckler herd through genetic improvement.
On arable lands, a €50 million Straw Incorporation measure aims to improve soil quality and reduce chemical fertiliser usage.
In relation to capital investments, the indicative budget is €404 million for the period 2022-2027 - €100 million in the CSP and €304 million under the current Rural Development Programme. Investments supported will address climate change mitigation, biodiversity and water quality. It will also increase on-farm energy efficiencies through investment in new technologies. I also propose to support solar panels on-farm from next year.
I believe that the CAP Strategic Plan provides a strong suite of measures to support our farming families to address climate, biodiversity and environmental challenges in the years ahead.
