Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome Minister of State, Senator Hackett. Céad míle fáilte. An chéad chainteoir eile ná an Seanadóir Victor Boyhan.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting what is a very important Commencement matter on the farmers' charter of rights. I thank the Minister of State for coming here to respond. I also thank the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, which, in the past half hour has launched its election guide, which contains questions for farmers and major producers to ask candidates as they come into their farmyards and kitchens. It is a very good document and I encourage people to read it. I also thank the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, for its Manifesto for European Parliament and Local Government Elections 2024, in which it sets out its asks very comprehensively. That is what it should be doing because it is a representative body. I commend both the IFA and the ICMSA on their work.

Today, I wish to advocate in respect of specific commitments relating the farmers' charter of rights, which is for farmers and key producers. It is something that is really important and that needs to happen. The Government was committed to it. I know we have a rolling charter, but the time has now come for a new charter.The success of a new farmers' charter will require trust and confidence on all sides. It will also require guarantees and procedures for fairness and transparency that are clearly understood and embedded in the text. That is what I would ask for, that transparency and fairness and all that is embedded in the text of a customers' charter, which is a commitment. It is, in my view, a guarantee from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and farmers and major producers. They have worked hard on it. I know it has been stopping and starting and there have been setbacks. However, I understand it is back on track.

What am I asking for regarding this charter today? I am asking for a focus. I want guarantees around the delivery of services and schemes for farmers and producers from the Department. I am asking for assurances that decisions and payments will be made in a timely manner because this has not happened and the Minister of State would be aware of that. If we are agreeing the procedures around schemes and systems, we need to understand the expectation in terms of the premium and when it will be delivered. I am talking about accurate timelines.

We need a strong commitment to meaningful engagement on all consultation with farming producers, organisations and their representative bodies. We need a simplification of the information of the data sharing. We have talked a lot, as I know the Minister of State has, and fully understand the implications of simplification, particularly around the European Green Deal. The Green Deal was to encourage and have more simplification, as opposed to complexities, and there are issues around that.

We need guarantees for fast and efficient appeals procedures for applicants if unsuccessful in a scheme or if penalised by some scheme. There has to be that fast process of engagement in terms of procedures. We need to fast track all appeals and decisions made by the Department, if necessary. We need greater consistency and transparency in all dealings with the Department to ensure confidence and this goes two ways. I refer to the respect and the conduct of farmers and primary producers and the Department. It is a two-way process. Agricultural inspectors and officials are entitled to be afforded the same courtesy and respect as farmers and producers would expect. We need clear processes around the complaints, reviews and appeals procedures.

Finally, I raise the point, and the Minister of State would be aware of this as a farmer representing a farm community, of cross-compliance. There are huge issues regarding cross-compliance inspections. There are issues about the notice. No notice is required for a farm visit under the EU rules on cross-compliance and this is an issue we need to address. However, we need fairness. The key here is fairness and transparency. I wish to see an early roll-out of the new farmers' charter, which farmers and producers expect to see too.

Pippa Hackett (Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for outlining the progress on the farmers charter. It appears it is imminent, which is really positive. It has been a long time in the process, but that process has been consultative, which I welcome. While considering the general scheme of the agriculture appeals (amendment) Bill 2024, I raised the issue of the farmers charter because it goes hand-in-hand with the appeals process and the matters of fairness and transparency. That is important. I ask that the Minister of State consider the issue of cross-compliance inspections on farms, as required under the EU regulations. I take the Minister of State's point that we must be fully compliant in that regard, but the issue of unannounced or unreasonably announced inspections is one that we could consider. The Minister of State's officials might do so.

This matter hinges on processes, penalties and payments. Once we have greater transparency on these issues, farmers will be happy. Again, I reiterate that it is a matter of confidence, respect and trust. If these are on both sides of the fence, the charter will be a good one. I welcome its publication.

Pippa Hackett (Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. As he said, the charter is imminent. We are very hopeful of having a new charter in place very soon. I understand the importance of having the process completed and of having a charter that is fit for purpose and has the elements of fairness and transparency, which the Senator has highlighted.

I will certainly take away the Senator's concerns on cross-compliance. As he highlighted, we have to operate within the legal framework and regulations at both EU and national levels. Ultimately, we want a system that works for farmers and results in compliance with the regulations. I hope the charter will be able to deliver that. We look forward to seeing it very soon.