Irish farmers could lose out on €300m of direct income supports under the next CAP, the Irish Farmers Journal has learned.

International funding rules look set to scupper any plans to reward farmers for additional environmental action in the next CAP, European Parliament chief negotiator Norbert Lins, a central figure in the negotiations, has warned.

The money ring-fenced for eco-schemes may only be recouped as compensation for environmental measures, he warned.

As a result, the financial gain to farmers could be severely limited.

The next CAP is likely to see 25% of all Irish farmers’ direct income supports set aside for eco-schemes.

Lins sounded the alarm about how difficult it may be for farmers to draw down their money from the eco-schemes.

Speaking on an Irish Farmers Journal webinar this week, he said the European Commission believes that under World Trade Organisation rules, farmers can only be compensated for costs they incur and income they lose by taking part in eco-schemes.

This would prevent farmers from financially benefiting from eco-schemes.