Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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284. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he was consulted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the reduction in the space for nature element of CAP and the impact this would have on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51010/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are currently preparing Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CSP). As part of that deliberative process, my Department along with other Government Departments and State Agencies have been actively engaged in consultation with that Department on the design of the proposed set of interventions. The CSP in its current form is a draft proposal and the interventions outlined should be treated as such. The CSP requires a further public consultation, a Strategic Environmental Assessment, and an Appropriate Assessment before it is considered by Government before the end of this year. Therefore, the details of the strategy as currently outlined do not represent a final policy decision.

It is vital that the CSP strikes a balance between financially supporting the agri-food sector and individual farmers, while also addressing the serious needs of our environment and in particular our climate, water, air and biodiversity.

I would also note that the upcoming Climate Action Plan 2021 will set out the measures we need to reach our 2030 targets across every sector, including agriculture. These measures will include more renewable energy, decreased transport emissions, changes in how we heat our homes but also changes to how we grow our food and look after our land. With the correct policy choices, we can reward farmers for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, producing clean energy, and improving water and air quality, while remaining profitable and competitive.