Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
36. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to commission an EIP scheme to support farmers in the operation of their farms in the Shannon Callows area given the growing challenges posed by increasing occurrence of flooding in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51488/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Innovation Partnership model offers potential for a range of actors in a sector to come together to develop and test innovative solutions to particular challenges in the sector. In the context of Irish agriculture over the last couple of years it has offered the opportunity for a broad range of people - farmers, scientists, advisors - to work together to overcome problems relating to the interaction between farming and the environment in their areas. It has also allowed us to bring forward practical ideas on areas beyond environmental priorities in areas like farm safety too.
This initiative has been a great success to date in Ireland and it is my intention to continue with it under the new CAP Strategic Plan.
As with the current RDP, it is proposed that there will be two Streams; Stream A aimed at wider competitiveness and animal health and welfare challenges in the sector, Stream B aimed at addressing areas related to environmental, biodiversity and climate change challenges.
Under Stream B it is envisaged that there will be calls for proposals on a wide variety of themes which may include a focus on innovative approaches including for example to farming in the Shannon Callows.
This is something we will decide on closer to the time when we are framing the calls for proposals. I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders in identifying these priorities.
