Certainty on scheme extensions cannot be provided until the rules, duration, and budget for the CAP transitional phase are finalised at European level, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said.
Several important schemes including GLAS, BDGP and TAMS are drawing to a close. As the new CAP is likely to be delayed for up to two years, farmers face being left without these payments if schemes are not extended.
Minister McConalogue told the Oireachtas agriculture committee the transition regulations and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) budget were not yet in place but that a conclusion was expected “in the coming weeks”.
The July agreement on the MFF by EU heads of state needs to be signed off by the European Parliament. This will allow the finalisation of the legal text for the transitional regulation.
“I am conscious of the need to provide certainty for farmers. It is not possible to do so without the rules and the budget but my officials and I are considering what the options will be,” Minister McConalogue said.
While the regulations were not yet fully agreed, it was expected that it will be possible to roll over existing schemes, he said.
Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy raised concerns that there was not the necessary level of urgency as farmers’ payments came to an end. He cited comments made by the minister when he was in opposition that no farmer should face a gap between agri-environmental schemes.
“I strongly feel it is important that we ensure there is a continuation and that there is not a gap in schemes,” the minister replied.
“That is something I am working hard to try to achieve as part of the budget estimates process.”
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae said a GLAS rollover would be of no benefit to those outside the scheme. He said these farmers were awaiting a new REPS.
The Minister indicated there were plans for a pilot scheme next year.
Read more
GLAS set for rollover but REPS pushed back
€215m in farm scheme payments at risk
Certainty on scheme extensions cannot be provided until the rules, duration, and budget for the CAP transitional phase are finalised at European level, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said.
Several important schemes including GLAS, BDGP and TAMS are drawing to a close. As the new CAP is likely to be delayed for up to two years, farmers face being left without these payments if schemes are not extended.
Minister McConalogue told the Oireachtas agriculture committee the transition regulations and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) budget were not yet in place but that a conclusion was expected “in the coming weeks”.
The July agreement on the MFF by EU heads of state needs to be signed off by the European Parliament. This will allow the finalisation of the legal text for the transitional regulation.
“I am conscious of the need to provide certainty for farmers. It is not possible to do so without the rules and the budget but my officials and I are considering what the options will be,” Minister McConalogue said.
While the regulations were not yet fully agreed, it was expected that it will be possible to roll over existing schemes, he said.
Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy raised concerns that there was not the necessary level of urgency as farmers’ payments came to an end. He cited comments made by the minister when he was in opposition that no farmer should face a gap between agri-environmental schemes.
“I strongly feel it is important that we ensure there is a continuation and that there is not a gap in schemes,” the minister replied.
“That is something I am working hard to try to achieve as part of the budget estimates process.”
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae said a GLAS rollover would be of no benefit to those outside the scheme. He said these farmers were awaiting a new REPS.
The Minister indicated there were plans for a pilot scheme next year.
Read more
GLAS set for rollover but REPS pushed back
€215m in farm scheme payments at risk
SHARING OPTIONS