Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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761. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a new rural environment protection type scheme; if briefing or discussion papers produced by his Department for same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11332/20]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is involved in discussions on the future of agri-environment supports as part of consideration of the next CAP.  However, it will not be possible to make final decisions until confirmation is available at EU and national level regarding budget and timeframe. Ireland has pressed for the earliest possible adoption of regulations, so that my Department may plan for the transitional period with legal and financial certainty and consequently provide clarity to farmers and rural communities as soon as possible.

Any extension to or replacement of schemes would be dependent on the appropriate budget being available, as well as sufficient time being available from the adoption of the legal framework to allow administrative provisions to be put in place.  Ultimately, the shape of any future schemes will be a matter for the new Government taking into account the relevant legislative and budgetary framework.