IFA president Tim Cullinan revealed that “armchair farmers” was the issue of most concern to the association’s membership, when it hosted a series of regional meetings on the next CAP.

To ensure payments go to those actively farming, the IFA has proposed introducing a minimum economic output requirement.

“What we’re looking at here now is limited budgets and I think it’s very important that we keep the money within the circuit of the people doing the work,” Cullinan says.

There’s no point in IFA putting a figure on this if it’s not going to be a runner with the Department

“It’s an option we are looking at, and measuring it on sales I think is a very fair and transparent way of showing there is activity on that farm, even at a low level.”

The IFA is yet to determine what the minimum figure could be as Cullinan says the concept has to be discussed with the Department of Agriculture.

“There’s no point in IFA putting a figure on this if it’s not going to be a runner with the Department,” he says.

The IFA also wants limits placed on the long-term leasing of entitlements, to ensure active farmers benefit from CAP payments.

A system whereby entitlements could be sold tax-free, along with continued tax-free rental income, could create a farm retirement scheme of sorts, Cullinan points out.

“Our proposal is for any farmer leasing out all their entitlements in excess of two years, the monies that they would obtain from selling those entitlements, there would be a tax exemption from the Government on those.

“This would create a lump sum for that farmer and he can continue to lease out his farm and get rental income tax-free. That would create a retirement scheme for a farmer and hopefully get that land back into the younger generation.”

Peatlands

Another cohort of farmers who have raised concerns in recent weeks are those farming on peatlands and wetlands. There are fears a new good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) could leave land ineligible for payments.

Cullinan says: “On GAEC 2, we have a clear understanding that the Government will not have to apply for any derogation for any lands for a farmer to claim his Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) on peatlands or wetlands. We have a clear commitment on that.

What we want to do is secure more funding albeit there is going to be more asks on farmers

“If there is any land that has to be taken out, then obviously the farmer has to be compensated for that land.”

Cullinan emphasises that in the face of mounting requirements, the next CAP must simplify things for farmers.

“What we want to do is secure more funding albeit there is going to be more asks on farmers.

“What we are seeking is flexibility from Europe for our national Government to develop schemes and simplify these schemes. We cannot have a situation where farmers are going to have to comply with measure after measure and complicating the system,” the IFA president says.