Written answers

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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2033. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the situation with respect to farmers entering land lease agreements of at least five years in 2021 and associated entitlements under the rules and practice; if such farmers can be guaranteed that notwithstanding the expected operation of the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy in 2023 that the conditions in respect of such entitlements will not be changed for the duration of the leasing agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15698/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The new CAP regulations are still at negotiation stage and, therefore, it is not possible to give a definitive answer regarding the potential conditions regarding five-year land and payment entitlement lease agreements.

There cannot be any guarantee that the conditions in respect of payment entitlements will not change. The proposed new CAP Regulation may affect various aspects of payment entitlements such as the value of payment entitlements which could change due to allocations of funding within the ceiling. It would be prudent for both parties to lease agreements to take this into consideration prior to proceeding with such agreements.

The discussions on new CAP regulations are ongoing at trilogue stage and the position regarding the entitlements in the next programming period cannot be confirmed until such time as the regulatory provisions are agreed and in place. My Department has consulted with relevant stakeholders and will continue to do so.  I will also continue to negotiate on the proposals for the new CAP at EU level to obtain the best possible outcomes for Irish farmers.

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