Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2021
70. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take regarding CAP following his tour of marts and his engagement with farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60447/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have listened carefully to the views of farmers on the new CAP Strategic Plan, through consultation with farm organisations both bilaterally and through the national CAP Stakeholder Consultative Committee, as well as on my recent nationwide tour of 27 marts in 25 counties. It is fair to say that there is quite a wide variety of views on the various elements of the new CAP that will pertain over the period from 2023 to 2027.
As the Deputy will be aware, in early November I launched a public consultation on the draft Environmental Report on the draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The latest iteration of the Plan includes changes to, for example, the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and the Sheep Improvement Scheme, and also includes a new Straw Incorporation Measure for tillage farmers and a Collaborative Farming Grant to encourage generational renewal. I also recently announced amendments to the previously published Eco-scheme options, providing for a number of additional agricultural practices that can be taken up by farmers This will raise the number of such practices available under the scheme from five to 10.
The public consultation on the draft Plan and the associated environmental assessments concluded on the 8th of December. My Department is now considering these submissions. I will continue to take the views of stakeholders on board before submitting the draft Plan to Government for approval. The finalised Plan must be submitted to the Commission before the deadline of 1 January 2022.
