Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important topic. At any meeting with farmers the length and breadth of the country, they raise over-regulation, red tape, bureaucracy and all of the other work that takes them out of their fields and sheds and into their offices and kitchens, and all of the paperwork that goes with that. As a farmer, with my neighbours in Kildare, I know this is a source of frustration which we have to tackle nationally. There is a European element to it, obviously, but I am not going to just blame Europe either. We have a role we can play in the future in terms of how we design future schemes.

It is important to note that the agriculture sector is vitally important to our overall economy. The Deputy and I both agree on that. In 2002, our agrifood exports were worth over €18.7 billion. Wave a strong reputation at home and abroad for high quality, safe food. We must protect and maintain this reputation. Our starting point is not to take for granted the money that farming contributes to our farm families and the rural economies in which they live.

Support for farmers is underpinned by the European Common Agricultural Policy. The current CAP strategic plan for the period 2023 to 2027 is the largest funded plan by Government to date, with a budget of €9.8 billion. In 2023, over €1.5 billion was paid to over 120,000 farmers. However, there is no doubt that this first year of the CAP has been challenging for farmers and the Department. The pace of regulatory change has been significant. The current CAP has introduced new rules on performance reporting and an increased focus on improving the environmental sustainability of the sector. Farmers across Europe and in Ireland have been highlighting the many challenges they are facing, and the difficulties in managing these, when considering changing climatic and economic conditions.

Taking this into account, I am acutely conscious of the need to keep the regulatory framework as simple as possible. The Commission has also taken this seriously and has proposed a package of simplification proposals to benefit both the farmers and the administrators of CAP funding. This package includes amending the basic legislation for the CAP strategic plan to reduce the burden on farmers and provide flexibility to member states to address issues affecting farmers arising from climatic conditions or other adverse events. This will have a real impact in Ireland. Small farmers with 10 ha or below will not be subject to inspections for conditionality, which was formerly known as cross-compliance, and therefore any financial penalties. This is a simplification for up to 20,000 farmers in Ireland. They must continue to meet the conditions required but will not be inspected or penalised under conditionality. Other farmers above 10 ha will still be subject to conditionality controls and any penalties arising. This change will apply to claims made in 2024.

There are a number of other changes to the good agricultural and environmental condition standards, GAECS. In addition, there is some additional flexibility to adjust the GAECS in limited circumstances to address issues arising from climatic conditions. This legislation is due to be published by the end of May and some elements such as the 10 ha exemption will be applicable retrospectively for 2024. Other elements can only be implemented by way of an amendment to the CAP strategic plan. We also need proportionate regulation to protect water quality, animal health and welfare and food safety and to ensure that high standards of food production and environmental protection are maintained in the European Union.

We must not forget that for decades the Common Agricultural Policy, combined with a strong CAP budget and robust operation of the Single Market, has supported farmers and is more sustainably delivering our food security. Farmers are at the core of this. In this regard, the Commission has surveyed farmers and advisers across Europe to get direct experience of their difficulties and preferences. This engagement with stakeholders is also continuing through the processes of the strategic dialogue led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. I support this work which aims to avoid polarisation in this debate. In addition, the Commission is conducting a survey of farmers across Europe to assess the administrative burden. This will inform future work by the Commission around administrative burden. This work is continuing at EU level. The Minister and I and our officials will continue to work with the Commission and other member states to further simplify the CAP.

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