Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
405. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum stocking density or the number of stock or other agricultural activity that will be required under the CAP 2023-2027 to be eligible for grants under the CAP as an active farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15628/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have proposed that, from 2023, to be considered eligible for payment for a number of schemes to be introduced under the new CAP, my Department would carry out an “active farmer check” each year on all scheme applicants. This is to ensure the person receiving the scheme payments is the person farming the land being claimed.
Under the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation, Active farmers are defined as those “engaged in at least a minimum level of agricultural activity”. It is proposed that the minimum level of agricultural activity will be based on the minimum stocking rate requirement for grassland farms.
The Department will check existing databases such as the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system, and the sheep and goat census. It is proposed that the minimum stocking requirement would be set at 0.10 Livestock Unit per hectare (LU/Ha), based on the new Eurostat coefficients. The new proposed minimum stocking rate of 0.10 LU/Ha maintains the link with 1 Ewe per hectare (1 Ewe = 0.10 LU) as it is in the current CAP. Farmers who meet the minimum stocking level required will be deemed to be active for the purposes of the "active farmer check".
For tillage farmers, it is proposed that the Department may look for evidence of the purchase of seed, fertiliser, plant protection products, etc. Farmers who do not have either livestock or crops will be asked to indicate on their application how they exercise an agricultural activity - for example, topping, or by selling hay or silage, or if they plan to purchase livestock in 2023.
