Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1526. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the implementation of the criteria set out by the European Council decision of 21 October 2021 that 20% of Pillar 1 funds should be ringfenced for eco-schemes; if participation in eco-schemes will be mandatory for every farmer here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33121/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Agri-fish Council of Ministers recently reached an agreed general approach on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform Package after two days of negotiations in Luxembourg. The Council now has a political mandate to hold trilogue negotiations with the Commission and the European Parliament with a view to reaching overall agreement. It is important to note that the final shape of the CAP Reform Package will not be clear until this overall agreement has been achieved.
A key feature of the new CAP is that there must be an increase in green ambition, including through the introduction of eco-schemes for the environment under Pillar I. EU Agriculture Ministers have proposed that eco scheme budgets will be ring fenced at 20% of the direct payments budget. The scheme, while mandatory for Member States, will be voluntary for farmers. Farmers will access the eco-scheme funds by undertaking additional actions and practices that are beneficial for the climate and the environment, beyond basic conditionality requirements. Member States will design schemes based on their own analysis of needs, but indicative examples of eco-schemes suggested by the European Commission include practices like precision farming, agroforestry, and organic farming.
Member States will have to prepare national CAP Strategic Plans setting out their planned interventions, and these must include targeted spending on climate actions that demonstrates a higher environmental ambition compared to the current period. Member States will have flexibility to shape their national plans based on their own SWOT which will allow Ireland the possibility to develop schemes to meet our own analysis of needs.
My Department is considering all potential scheme options. There has been ongoing consultation with all stakeholders, including the CAP Consultative Committee, on the proposals and I can assure the Deputy that this will continue as the national CAP Strategic Plan is developed.
