Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach, welcome those in the Visitors Gallery and thank Senator Boyhan for raising this issue.

The farmers' charter review group began renegotiations of the new farmers' charter in early January 2023. The aim of the review group is to agree standards and delivery targets for schemes and services provided by my Department. It includes protocols in respect of applications, inspections, appeals and payments. From my Department's perspective, it is an important expression of positive engagement with those to whom it provides services. It is also an expression of commitment to the highest standards of customer services.

Broadly speaking, these charter arrangements have been in place in one form or another since the first protocol on direct payments to farmers was agreed with the farming bodies in July 2000 under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. My Department's approach to the charter discussions is always to be as ambitious as possible when it comes to agreeing targets for service provision.

On the other hand, the charter cannot grant rights which would affect or change the operation of EU or national law, insofar as they apply to EU schemes administered by the Department. It is therefore essential that the targets set out in the new charter are ambitious, yet achievable, while taking account of the changes brought about by the new common agriculture policy, or CAP.

I recognise the importance of farm payments under the various schemes to members of the farming community. The commitment to farmers is evidenced by the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer-funded schemes. Almost €1.8 billion was paid to farmers across the country during the last quarter of 2023. At EU level, Ireland ranks among the most efficient member states in getting payments to farmers expediently and in line with the legal requirements. I am confident this will continue to be the case. I also point out that under the new CAP, this Government has secured the highest ever funding for an Irish CAP programme, with just under €10 billion being provided directly to farmers and rural communities.All the schemes and initiatives that will flow from this investment are an investment in the future of Irish farming. My Department's national budget for 2024 is almost €2 billion, and over €3 billion when direct payments are included.

The current farmers charter review group comprises senior Department officials and representatives of the main farmer representative bodies. The group is chaired by an assistant secretary general of the Department. All the main farming organisations – the IFA, the ICMSA, Macra na Feirme, the ICSA, the INHFA and ICOS – participate in the negotiations on the charter. To date, the review group has held 11 round-table meetings. In addition, several bilateral meetings have been held with farming bodies that wished to avail of this option.

Negotiations on the new farmers charter are now at an advanced stage. The most recent round-table meeting took place on 10 May 2024, just last week, and a final draft of the farmers charter was examined at this meeting with the aim of reaching a consensus on it. Good progress was made during the meeting and my Department remains hopeful of an agreement on any outstanding issues at the next meeting. Once there is agreement, the Department will immediately publish the new farmers charter.