Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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242. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the request in a document from an organisation (details supplied) to scale up locally adapted results-based agri-environment payment schemes on all farm types; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 is under way. Development of the plan involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting (including monitoring) and governance systems. The draft CSP will also be subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment including a public consultation on the draft CSP and draft Environmental Report.

I have, with my officials, continued to engage extensively with stakeholders on the future of CAP. Consultations on the development of the CSP will continue via the CAP Consultative Committee, which comprises representatives of the main stakeholders including farm bodies, NGOs (including the Environmental Pillar), industry representatives and academia. It also includes representatives from Government Departments including DPER, DRCD, DECC, DHLGH (NPWS), and Government Agencies, including Bord Bia, Teagasc and the EPA. The Committee has met on 17 occasions with further meetings planned throughout 2021.

Further public consultations on the development of the CSP are being considered. I will also continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to meet the deadline of submission to the Commission by 1st January 2023.

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently opened the innovative and ambitious Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot Project (REAP) for applications. The aim of this pilot is to trial an agri-environment results-based scoring system at a national level with a view to identifying up scaling potential for possible inclusion in the next flagship national agri-environment scheme. This model makes it worthwhile for participants to gain an understanding of the conditions required for the delivery of optimum biodiversity and environmental benefits. Similar to the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects, REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives.

REAP is a step towards the development of our next national agri-environment scheme which, subject to EU approval, will be in place by early 2023.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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243. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a request in a document by an organisation and organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23335/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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246. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the request in a document by an organisation and organisations (details supplied) in relation to establishing networks of agricultural innovation that provide an enabling environment for on-farm diversification, facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge transfer between farmers, State agencies, civil society and research institutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23338/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 246 together.

I am supportive of the role that a well developed advisory service and networks of knowledge and innovation sharing can play in helping the sector to successfully address a range of existing and emerging challenges and issues. Within the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), significant levels of support have been provided under Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) in this regard as part of the development of our Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS).

For example, the RDP includes support for 23 projects across a range of key areas under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) initiative. These projects are designed to increase the sharing of knowledge and innovative approaches in a way that incorporates a wide range of stakeholders. Further EIP tranches have also subsequently been launched in areas such as farm health, safety and wellbeing and the rewetting of peatlands. In addition, the RDP included significant investment in the Knowledge Transfer Programme, which saw support for the training of over 18,000 farmers over three years in a range of key areas.

While the negotiation of the regulations to underpin the new CAP programming period are still ongoing, it is intended that our new CAP Strategic Plan will also include a range of initiatives aimed at developing our national AKIS through support for high quality knowledge exchange and training, and ensuring the flow of research and innovation between all the key stakeholders. The Department is also developing targeted high quality training interventions for the cohort of agricultural advisors in a range of priority areas, including the areas of biodiversity and water quality.

In addition, the Department's most recent call for research proposals which closed in Quarter 1 of 2021 offered the opportunity to develop multi-actor approaches and knowledge transfer and exchange within research projects including the funding of innovation intermediaries. This development offers each project that will be funded the opportunity to develop a proportionate knowledge transfer plan with a focus on engagement with stakeholders to co-create research solutions and disseminate research outputs.

Finally, the Agri-Food Strategy to 2030 outlines the intention to develop a dynamic knowledge exchange environment. Action 4 (of Mission 4, Goal 3) proposes to develop an enhanced enabling environment to support on farm innovation and diversification, and facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge transfer through development, testing and sharing of knowledge and experiences through for example focus groups, living labs, incubators, and other co-operative activities. The draft strategy also sets out the intention of prioritising more farmer engagement and peer to peer learning and advice tailored to the primary producers in their local area and capitalising on the expertise and communication skills of farmers through more farmer-led talks, videos and other outreach activities. A public consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of this draft strategy is currently underway.