Written answers

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Single Payment Scheme Administration

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

334. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers whose payment under the Single Payment Scheme is €5,000 or less: the number of these farmers whose payment is greater than the average-per-hectare payment nationally; the reason those with gross payments of €5,000 or less have not been exempted from the revised payment arrangements under Common Agriculture Policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11282/15]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

335. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers whose gross payments under the revised Single Payment Scheme, post Common Agricultural Policy reform, exceed €5,000, where the per-hectare payment is less than the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11283/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.

The following table presents the requested information. All data is based on an estimate of the national average value of entitlements in 2015 and cannot be confirmed until all eligible land for 2015 is declared and verified. The estimated payment attributed to each farmer in 2015 is based on the entitlements held by the farmer under the Basic Payment Scheme plus the payment the farmer will receive under Greening.

National Summary Number of Farmers
Number of farmers whose payment (including greening) is less than €5000 in 20 15 54,435
Number of farmers whose payment in 2015 is less than €5000 but whose payment per hectare is greater than the estimated national average unit value per hectare (€249 including greening) 13,862
Number of farmers whose payment in 2015 is greater than €5000 and whose payment per hectare is less than the estimated national average unit value per hectare (€249 including greening) 26,028

Convergence is a fundamental principle of the reformed Common Agricultural Policy as those with low value entitlements will have their value converged upwards over the period of the Scheme while those with high value entitlements will see a reduction in their value. Under this process, all entitlements will reach a minimum of 60% of the national average value of entitlements by 2019.

EU Regulations governing the calculation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme do not provide for exemptions from the revised payment arrangements.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.