Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2012

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Ceisteanna (229)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money that would be available for redistribution amongst lower income farmers under the proposal published by him in relation to common agricultural policy reform and the single farm payment if all payments were capped at €45,000 and €40,000 respectively; the number that would be affected in each county by the ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50547/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I presume the Deputy is seeking information in relation to the post-2013 CAP reform proposals. My Department has modelled various CAP reform proposals using the 2010 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) database of actual payments to farmers in that year, rather than entitlements. Analysis of this database shows the following:

Around 3,625 farmers received single payments in excess of €40,000 in 2010. Capping the maximum payment to these farmers at €40,000 would in theory provide €77.8 million for redistribution.

Around 2,730 farmers received single payments in excess of €45,000 in 2010. Capping the maximum payment to these farmers at €45,000 would in theory provide €62 million for redistribution.

Data on the number of farmers who would be affected by such ceilings in each county is not yet available.