Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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371. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a genuine farmer definition that must ensure that CAP payments are made to farmers that are actively farming which will be a requirement for all member states in the European Union under the next CAP programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27226/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission made its proposals on the new CAP in June 2018, and in October 2020 the AgriFish Council of Ministers and the European Parliament adopted their respective positions on the proposals. The Commission and the Parliament have proposed mandatory definition of the "genuine/active farmer" using various criteria. The Council proposed that this definition should be optional for Member States.

Trilogue negotiations between the three institutions, which are aimed at reaching a final shared agreement on the shape of the new CAP, are ongoing. Final agreement on the CAP, including the definition of a “genuine/active farmer”, is dependent on the outcome of that process.

My officials and I are examining all aspects of the evolving CAP proposals in order to assess their potential impact. In addition, there is ongoing consultation with stakeholders on all of the key aspects of the proposals, including the definition of a “genuine/active farmer”, for example through the CAP Consultative Committee.

At this stage, discussions on a potential compromise between the co-legislators centre on a requirement for a mandatory definition of "active farmer", but with some flexibility for Member States as to how this is defined. Discussions on this are ongoing, but I consider it vital that Member States retain as much subsidiarity as possible to allow them to best address their identified needs within the CAP Strategic Plan. I am actively working with my European counterparts to achieve this goal and to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland's agri-food sector.