Mr. Colm O'Donnell:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to participate in this meeting. Regarding the Deputy's question on the GAEC 2 proposals, there are ten GAECs, which are cross-compliance tools to ensure that payments are delivered and farmers comply with the conditions. However, the new GAEC 2, which is proposed to protect wetlands and peatlands, will have the opposite effect. It will remove land from being an agricultural area due to not having agricultural activity happening on it. Under the Commission's drafting, an eligible hectare must consist of an agricultural area exercising an agricultural activity. Clearly, this amendment will knock land out of being eligible on grounds of compliance with the GAEC standards. This is unprecedented in any CAP reform. Lands will be now be differentiated. It is why we have relished the opportunity to inform the members of this committee that this will be the case. It is teeing up to be part of the European Commission's bigger picture under the biodiversity strategy to protect carbon-rich soils. It is being offered on a plate under the amendment to the Commission's position on Article 4. That is our fundamental problem with the proposal.

I might ask Mr. Henry O'Donnell to continue this point.