Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The provision of interim CAP measures for the transitional period between the current rural development programme and the post-2020 CAP strategic plan is closely related to progress on the transitional regulations, which will provide a range of options for member states to deploy over the period.

Since their publication in November 2019, the transitional regulations have been subject to extensive discussions between the European Council, the European Parliament and the Commission.  A common understanding was reached between the Council and Parliament on the text in June, including with regard to a transition period of two years' duration. The Commission position remains in favour of a one-year transition period. This issue will be finalised in tandem with the incorporation of the details of the 2021-27 EU budget into the transitional regulations once the budget has been agreed with the European Parliament, which is expected by the end of October.

In the meantime, I am currently considering the potential options available, as well as engaging with stakeholders for their views.  We will have to ensure that what we do in the transitional period is consistent with programme for Government commitments, as well as providing a solid foundation for the development of our CAP strategic plan for the period to 2027.  In addition, the very ambitious targets set out in the EU biodiversity strategy and the farm to fork strategy will have to be taken into account.

My ministerial colleagues and I intend to continue meetings with the farm bodies and stakeholders over the coming weeks to hear their views and, importantly, to get their input.  I am also conscious that we have limited time to make decisions and implement workable solutions.

It is important that we can give certainty to farmers in the near future. Obviously, the budget and the Estimates campaign will be important in that regard. Working with my ministerial colleagues in government, I want to ensure that schemes can be replicated and income streams maintained for farmers, and in terms of framing the next CAP programme to ensure it contains schemes that continue to contribute substantially to incomes and to deliver on the various objectives from a sustainability point of view.

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