Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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535. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the 2016 programme for Government commitment to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments; and the timeframe for implementation of this action. [53635/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The 2016 Programme for Government undertook to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments from €150,000 to €100,000.

Since the 16^thOctober 2015, the maximum amount payable to any one applicant under the Basic Payment Scheme (excluding the Greening Payment), is capped at €150,000 per annum and applies from the first year of the scheme in 2015.  Ireland actively supported the concept of this maximum level during the CAP negotiations.  Under the new Direct Payments Regulations, it was open to Member States to reduce payments over €150,000 by between 5% and 100%.  Ireland chose the highest possible reduction, thus effectively capping BPS payments at €150,000.  A further lowering of the limit would require a legislative change of the basic regulation 1307/2013 (Direct Payments Regulation) in Council.

As no mid-term review of the CAP has yet taken place, the opportunity has not arisen to propose the lowering of the maximum amount payable. However, I am committed to addressing this matter in the context of the future reform of the CAP.