Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2021
194. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1990 and 1993 of 24 March 2021, the percentage of the pillar 1 and pillar 2 funding of the new CAP which must be disbursed on agri-environmental measures; the amount per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27086/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1990 and 1993 of 24 March 2021, the cost-benefit analysis and all other associated studies which led to the decision of his Department that the forestry programme will be delivered entirely separately from the CAP strategic plan and will be subject to new state aid rules rather than the requirements of the CSP regulations; the way in which the private forestry sector including farmers will not be disadvantaged as a result of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27088/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1990 and 1993 of 24 March 2021, the stakeholder organisations that have representation on both the CAP post-2020 consultative committee and the forestry policy group in tabular form; the overlap between the representatives on both the CAP post-2020 consultative committee and the forestry policy group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27095/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1990 and 1993 of 24 March 2021, the engagement with the forestry sector to date given that his Department is also engaging bilaterally with the forestry sector on the CAP in tabular form; the persons from his Department and from the forestry sector that have been involved in such bilateral discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27096/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 195, 200 and 201 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the current Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) is entirely exchequer funded and received State aid approval from the European Commission. Due to the long-term nature of forestry, it is considered the best option to continue to deliver the forestry programme entirely separately from the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), subject to new State Aid rules rather than the requirements of the CSP regulations.
I am committed to a strong CAP Strategic Plan and to an ambitious successor to the Forestry Programme, both of which I would see as delivering for farmers, rural communities and for society as a whole. I am also committed to better integration between both of these policies as envisaged in the Programme for Government and encourage all stakeholders to make their views known on these important processes as they progress.
Various stakeholder organisations, representing a variety of interest groups, have representation on both the CAP post-2020 Consultative Committee and the Forestry Policy Group to further enhance coherence between both policy areas.
These are:
- Irish Farmers Association (IFA)
- Agricultural Consultants Association
- Teagasc
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental Pillar
- An Taisce
- Bird Watch Ireland
- Irish Rural Link
A list of all members of the CAP Consultative Committee and the Forestry Policy Group are published on the Department’s website at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/ab894-cap-post-2020-consultative-committee/#membership.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/e43d8-forestry-policy-group-chaired-by-mos-hackett/#membership.
There is regular engagement between the Department and the Forestry Sector through the Forestry Policy Group, the newly established Project Woodland, and the various COFORD working groups. In addition, several Department officials who work in forestry related divisions are represented on Department internal working groups and committees in which the Department’s approach to the CAP Strategic Plan are discussed. Through participation in these groups and committees, forestry has been contributing to the briefing on the CAP Strategic Plan draft Regulations and is helping us to meet our commitment of better integration between these two significant programmes.
The draft CAP strategic plan will of course also be subject to public consultation when it is ready for circulation.
In accordance with the CSP draft Regulations, 40% of Pillar I expenditure must contribute towards climate change objectives and at least 30% of Rural Development plan must focus on specific environmental and climate related objectives.
