The Irish Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) details released late last week by the Department of Agriculture leave us with plenty of questions, but also huge clarity on the direction of travel.

We have had report after report on environment-led EU initiatives such as the Green Deal from Brussels.

This week, it’s Dublin’s turn to lead the green CAP consultation.

Leaving the logistics aside, the greening of the proposed new CAP moved from theory into something closer to reality with this publication on how Ireland might deliver CAP 2023 to 2027.

The proposed 25% siphon from the Pillar I funds for eco schemes, and a new environmental scheme that will take 35% of the funds from Pillar II, show the importance and economic significance of environmental considerations in the new CAP proposals.

The EU has set out a series of minimum requirements on the big issues for CAP such as convergence, maximum payments, front loading and redistribution

It’s fair to say the CAP strategy is very firmly directed at the environment rather than any vision for quality food production, with little recognition of farmers’ productive income or the type of land they farm.

Let’s be crystal clear on how we got here. The EU has set out a series of minimum requirements on the big issues for CAP such as convergence, maximum payments, front loading and redistribution.

It is a very a short space of time for farmers to digest, understand and sensibly comment

However, member states have a say in how CAP is delivered in order to take some of the heat off Brussels, and this is what our Department has now begun with these latest draft and somewhat incomplete proposals.

The intention is to open it to the public for a month to allow for consultation.

Realistically, how achievable that is must be questioned. It is a very a short space of time for farmers to digest, understand and sensibly comment, particularly during peak harvest and holiday season.

Even more importantly, what can be achieved is harder to see when all our minister and Department are doing is taking from one set of farmers and giving to another.

The absence of real numbers around the schemes and projects that have been detailed is in effect a sort of teasing to farmers – throwing everything out, but not putting any weighting on what is important.

It’s great to be able to look around a sweet shop, but not much fun when you only have a euro to spend.

How can farmers make reasoned decisions to see how they fare without knowing the numbers and monetary values attached to the schemes and the impact on their pocket?

The information gaps related to the proposed schemes are many and varied.

It is a clear recognition that farmers and farming are playing a far bigger role for the environment as scrub land turns into eligible land overnight – but for no extra gain

As we have previously published, one of the most significant shifts is the additional 55,000ha that will no longer be highlighted in red and removed from farm maps. These nature-rich areas are now as important as the productive land.

It is a clear recognition that farmers and farming are playing a far bigger role for the environment as scrub land turns into eligible land overnight – but for no extra gain.

Overall, this consultation might well create plenty of photo opportunities for the minister, but what will it realistically deliver?

Going around the country speaking to individual farmers is a good way to get a sense of the general state of agriculture, which is very positive in the main.

Now is the opportunity to have your voice heard

However, when it comes to something that impacts individual farmers’ livelihoods into the future, farmers need to be far more structured and informed.

Each farm organisation needs to organise itself to explain and understand the direction of travel and potentially explore if there is any common ground.

Then the minister must be lobbied to shape a CAP strategic plan that best fits farming for the next five years.

Now is the opportunity to have your voice heard. Get the facts, understand the proposals and see how the plans affect your business.