This is a critical year for agriculture-related schemes with a high percentage of those operated under the RDP 2014-2020 coming to an end.

In an ideal world the agricultural sector would have clarity on the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with discussions based at this stage of the year on crossing the Ts and dotting the Is on new schemes.

Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic are two of a number of challenges that have stalled progress on agreeing a CAP budget at EU level and implementing it at national level. As Phelim O’Neill reports below it will be at least 2022 or maybe even 2023 before a new CAP is in place.

While the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is likely to be rolled over at current levels, farmers are anxiously awaiting what the outcome will be on other schemes which are critical to farm incomes and investment at farm level. There are in the region of 36,000 farmers exiting the Green Low-carbon Agri-environmental Scheme (GLAS) at the end of 2020.

There are also grave concerns surrounding the launch of a scheme to continue or replace the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS), while the continuation of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) is critical to support investments and promote technologies to improve efficiency at farm level.

While it does not offer a payment, the future of the nitrates derogation is crucial for the dairy sector and other intensive enterprises.

Farmers need clarity on all of these schemes to plan their businesses accordingly.