Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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736. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the good agricultural and environmental condition, GAEC, 2 rule (details supplied) will be amended in order that farmers in hill areas will have to intentionally wet working farmland or lose payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10545/20]

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

The CAP proposals are detailed and complex and negotiations are ongoing.  While significant progress has been made, decisions on a number of key issues have still to be agreed upon, particularly when it comes to the proposed CAP Strategic Plan Regulation.  One of the issues still to be decided upon by Member States is the proposed new green architecture, which is aimed at achieving a higher level of climate ambition.

The proposed CAP Strategic Plan Regulation introduces GAEC ll in Annex lll with a view to protecting wetland and peatland ecosystems.  As negotiations are still ongoing, this text is still subject to change. 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.