Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2021
242. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the request in a document from an organisation (details supplied) to scale up locally adapted results-based agri-environment payment schemes on all farm types; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 is under way. Development of the plan involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting (including monitoring) and governance systems. The draft CSP will also be subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment including a public consultation on the draft CSP and draft Environmental Report.
I have, with my officials, continued to engage extensively with stakeholders on the future of CAP. Consultations on the development of the CSP will continue via the CAP Consultative Committee, which comprises representatives of the main stakeholders including farm bodies, NGOs (including the Environmental Pillar), industry representatives and academia. It also includes representatives from Government Departments including DPER, DRCD, DECC, DHLGH (NPWS), and Government Agencies, including Bord Bia, Teagasc and the EPA. The Committee has met on 17 occasions with further meetings planned throughout 2021.
Further public consultations on the development of the CSP are being considered. I will also continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to meet the deadline of submission to the Commission by 1st January 2023.
As the Deputy will be aware, I recently opened the innovative and ambitious Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot Project (REAP) for applications. The aim of this pilot is to trial an agri-environment results-based scoring system at a national level with a view to identifying up scaling potential for possible inclusion in the next flagship national agri-environment scheme. This model makes it worthwhile for participants to gain an understanding of the conditions required for the delivery of optimum biodiversity and environmental benefits. Similar to the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects, REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives.
REAP is a step towards the development of our next national agri-environment scheme which, subject to EU approval, will be in place by early 2023.
