Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
776. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the next deadline dates for European Innovation Partnerships in Agriculture in particular in relation to north County Leitrim (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarmers in all areas of the country will be able to participate in the proposed new agri-environment climate measure (AECM) under the next CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). The new AECM Scheme will have a General stream and a Co-Operation stream. The Co-Operation stream will be managed by new Co-Operation Project teams.
The map for the Co-Operation stream of the new AECM scheme identifies eight Co-Operation zones, including land in north Leitrim. Farmers within these high priority geographical areas will be eligible to apply to join the AECM Co-operation stream.
Farmers in those areas will engage in the new AECM through the new Co-operation Project teams. These farmers in turn will benefit from higher payment rates, up to a maximum €10,500 per year, should they participate and undertake the most environmentally ambitious actions.
A tender process for the establishment and management of the co-operation projects was launched at the end of January 2022. The Co-operation Project teams, to be selected following this tender process, will be building on the learnings of the current European Innovation Partnership projects (EIPs) from all around the country.
Under the draft CSP submitted to Brussels in December 2021, there is also provision for a new round of EIP Calls for Proposals from 2023 onwards. This is completely separate to the new AECM scheme. No dates have yet been set for any new Calls for Proposals.
