Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

The figure of 7% for eco-focus is quite high, particularly for intensive farming. The Minister should try to bring that to a realistic level. There is ongoing debate between the Department and the CSO on land declared on the single farm payment each year and how much the Department thinks is not claimed in any single farm payment application. We have heard concerns from family farms that have built up substantial single farm payments but will see that drastically reduced. Does he accept people will be drastically affected by the proposals as they are before the Commission at present? Commonage areas are not covered by the single farm payment at present but I trust they will qualify under the new regime.

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