Jackie Cahill
Ceist:754. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates that one needs to qualify for ANC 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24106/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 May 2022
Ceisteanna (754, 756)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:756. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates that one needs to qualify for ANC 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24108/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 754 and 756 together.
In 2022, the stocking requirement for the Areas facing Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme is 0.15 livestock units per hectare (LU/Ha). Details of the stocking requirements, including the livestock unit values applicable to the 2022 ANC scheme, are set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme which are available on the Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/service/13d971-areas-of-natural-constraint-scheme/.
Under Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), from 2023 it is proposed to implement a minimum stocking requirement as an eligibility requirement for the ANC scheme, as part of the active farmer check, in one of the agricultural practices in the eco-scheme and in the new Organic Farming Scheme.
It is proposed in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan that the minimum stocking requirement check in the CSP will be largely based on the current ANC check, which many farmers are familiar with. In the ANC scheme, participants are currently required to maintain an annual average minimum stocking density per forage hectare calculated over the 12 months of the calendar year. Participants must also meet a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months.
From 2023, it is proposed that the livestock unit coefficients to be used for the minimum stocking requirements will be amended to match the current Eurostat livestock coefficients. Based on these new Eurostat coefficients, it is proposed the minimum stocking requirement would be set at 0.10 livestock
Units per hectare, reduced from the current minimum requirement of 0.15 livestock units per hectare. This will maintain the link with one ewe equivalent per hectare (1 Ewe = 0.10 LU) as it is in the current CAP. It should also be noted that a reduced stocking rate may apply where it is justified on environmental grounds.
This proposed change along with all the other elements of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan is subject to approval by the EU Commission. The negotiations between the Department and the Commission are on-going.