Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:245. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent European Court of Auditors report (details supplied). [2661/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 January 2018
Ceisteanna (245)
Freagraí scríofa
I have noted, and my officials are examining, the content of the European Court of Auditors Report on “Greening: a more complex income support scheme, not yet environmentally effective”
This report will be the subject of further consultation among EU Member States in which Ireland will fully participate. The issue of greening will also arise in any discussions on a new CAP on foot of the recent communication on the issue.
While Greening rules are applicable across all Member States, the impact at Member State level differs depending on the type of agricultural activity carried out in each Member State - those with a large proportion of arable land would require more changes to be made to farm practices. The majority of Ireland’s farmers were already compliant with the Greening Scheme rules at the time of introduction on the basis that 92% of Ireland’s agricultural land is grassland.