A draft communication of the CAP post-2020 by the European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, indicates that there will be more money aimed at those who rely on farming for a living and not to part-time farmers.

The draft communication said that “enhanced support to smaller farmers, notably through a redistributive payment” and a “focus on those who depend on farming for a living” should also be explored.

This will come across to many as the Commission putting full-time farmers ahead of part-time farmers.

With 80% of direct payments going to 20% of EU farmers, another proposal would see the compulsory capping of direct payments.

Currently the cap on direct payments is €150,000 per beneficiary. This proposal would allow a maximum payment of between €60,000 and €100,000 per beneficiary.

Also detailed in the proposals is a focus on the environment and climate change.

The communication suggests that smart farming should play a greater role in the next CAP. It said: “The current green architecture of the CAP, that primarily relies on the complementary implementation of three distinct policy instruments – cross compliance, green direct payments and voluntary agri-environmental and climate measures – will be replaced and all operations integrated into a more targeted, flexible and coherent approach.”

Generational renewal

The aging farming community “needs new blood to make the sector more dynamic and open to ongoing technological transformations”, according to the draft.

The proposals also suggest that generational renewal should become a priority in a new CAP policy framework and that member states are in the best position here to stimulate generational renewal. For young farmers, the CAP should give flexibility to member states to develop tailor made schemes that reflect the specific needs of their young farmers.

Top-up payments are suggested for new entrants.