Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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677. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the European Commission proposals (COM(2018) 392 final) for the next CAP and reference to GAEC II in Annex III (preservation of carbon rich soils such as peatlands and wetlands) will be implemented at primary producer level; and the discretion member states will have to identify the peatland and wetland areas in question. [7831/20]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The new legislative proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy 2021 - 2027 were launched in June 2018 by Commissioner Hogan. The proposals outline a greater environmental ambition post-2020 and recognise the role the agriculture sector has to play in helping Member States achieve their environmental and climate change targets.

Negotiations on the CAP proposals are ongoing and, while significant progress has been made, decisions on many key issues have still to be finalised. These include the proposed new green architecture, which is aimed at achieving a higher level of climate ambition.

The CAP Strategic Plan Regulation introduces GAEC ll in Annex lll with a view to protecting wetland and peatland ecosystems. This text is still subject to change as negotiations are ongoing. Ireland has requested clarification on the meaning of “protection” from the Commission and this will inform implementation of measures at farm level.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to actively participate in the negotiation process and work with my European counterparts to secure the best possible outcome for the Irish agri-food sector.