Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if during the renegotiation of the Common Agriculture Policy after 2020, the Government will seek the inclusion of land drainage schemes on marginal land. [21313/17]

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

In terms of CAP post 2020, the European Commission in February 2017 commenced a consultation phase on modernising and simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy. The consultation closed on 2 May 2017 with the results of the consultation expected in July 2017, when the Commission holds a stakeholder conference in Brussels. The consultation will influence the Commission's communication on CAP after 2020 which is expected in late 2017.

Regarding a land drainage scheme, the current programming period 2014 - 2020 does not include such a scheme. It was considered in 2013 in advance of the 2014 - 2020 Rural Development Programme being agreed; however it was decided not to proceed with such a scheme following discussions within my Department and with the then, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and with the Environmental Protection Agency.

During those discussions, significant issues regarding Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations and the Habitats Directive were raised. It was also considered that were there to be a land drainage scheme, it would be likely that specific sensitive areas such as Natura Designated Lands (whether Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas) and potentially contiguous areas that may impact on these designations, would have to be excluded. Other administrative and control challenges within my own Department were also raised as significant issues.

The Deputy will be aware that discussions on CAP post 2020 are at an early stage and no decisions have yet been taken; however the challenges presented by a land drainage scheme as outlined in the previous paragraphs in the context of the current programming period, would have to be considered and addressed were such a scheme to be included within a future CAP.