Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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464. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9884/20]

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 a number of key issues have still to be agreed upon. 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 of the meaning of “protection” from the Commission, and this will help to inform the 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.