Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1946. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a stocking rate requirement in order to qualify for the single farm payment scheme 2023; if so, if the rate has been set; if equines will be included in calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62990/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As outlined in  Ireland's  Draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the 2023-2027 published on the Department’s website, it is proposed to implement a minimum stocking requirement

- as part of the active farmer check,

- in one of the agricultural practices in the eco-scheme, and

- as an eligibility requirement for the Areas facing Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. 

Under the CSP Regulation, active farmers are defined as those “engaged in at least a minimum level of agricultural activity”.  Ireland is proposing that the minimum level of agricultural activity will be based on the minimum stocking rate requirement, similar to ANC, for grassland farms.

Where the Department cannot verify the active status of a grassland farmer from its databases, a farmer will have to select from a range of options on the Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS) application from 2023 – for example, making hay/silage, topping, other grazing livestock, plans to purchase livestock in 2023, etc.   Tillage farmers  may be requested to provide evidence of the purchase of seed, fertiliser, plant protection products etc.

Under  the Eco-scheme as proposed by Ireland, one of the measures  will be “Extensive Livestock Production” . This measure is proposed to support and encourage extensive grazing practices. To qualify, the stocking rate over the previous year must fall between a minimum and a maximum value with further administrative and on-the-spot checks in the year of Eco-Scheme participation as required.

At this juncture, it is proposed that the minimum stocking rate would be 0.15 Livestock Units  per Hectare with the maximum stocking rate being 1.5 Livestock Units per Hectare.

For the  Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, Ireland is proposing to continue the minimum stocking rate requirement. Participants are currently required to maintain an annual average minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare calculated over the 12 months of the calendar year and participants must also meet a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months. A reduced stocking level may apply where it is justified on environmental grounds.

It is proposed that the minimum stocking requirement check in the CSP will be similar to the current ANC check, with which many farmers are already familiar and  it is expected to continue to allow equine animals be used towards meeting the minimum stocking requirement. Further details in relation to the minimum level to be applied and the livestock coefficients applicable under the CSP, will be made available in due course as the development and approval of the CSP progresses.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1947. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the list of requirements to qualify for payment under the eco-schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62991/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Eco-Schemes were included in the  EU CAP Strategic Plan Regulation  for the first time as part of the next CAP (2023-2027).  Under the Regulation, they must be funded from within Pillar 1 of the CAP budget. In line with the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation, I have decided to allocate 25% of Ireland’s Direct Payments envelope to the Eco-Scheme annually, which equates to approximately €297 million per annum.

The Eco-Scheme is intended  to reward farmers who undertake actions that are beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. This annual scheme will be voluntary for farmers and to qualify for payment, they will have to undertake specific agricultural practices on their farms.  The intention is that farmers can apply for the Eco-Scheme at the same time as their Basic Income Support Scheme application from 2023 onwards.

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan was submitted to the European Commission on 31st December 2021. The  draft plan including the details of Ireland's proposed Eco-Scheme is now being considered by the EU Commission and is subject to Commission approval.

The list of eight agricultural practices proposed by Ireland is set out below, with a farmer having to undertake two agricultural practices to receive an Eco-Scheme payment, which will be a per hectare payment.

1 - Space for Nature

At least 7% of a farmer’s holding must be devoted to biodiversity, habitats or landscape features, building on the 4% requirement for all farmers set down  as part of Conditionality (under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition  No. 8). Where a farmer commits 10% or more of his/her holding to “Space for Nature”, that will be counted as two actions, and will qualify the farmer for a full Eco-Scheme payment.

2 - Extensive Livestock Production

For a farmer to qualify, the stocking rate  on the farm for the previous year must fall between a minimum (0.15 Livestock Units per Hectare) and a maximum (1.5 Livestock Units per Hectare) value.  Further administrative and on-the-spot checks in the year of Eco-Scheme participation will also take place as required. 

3 - Limiting Chemical Nitrogen

To qualify, the farmer must not exceed a certain level of chemical nitrogen usage across the holding in the year of Eco-Scheme participation, based on the stocking rate, or in the case of arable farmers they must limit their chemical Nitrogen usage to 10% below the national average on arable crops i.e. 139.41 kg per Hectare.

4 – Planting of Native Trees/Hedgerows

To qualify, the farmer must plant at least three trees per eligible hectare in the year of Eco-Scheme participation. Where the farmer opts to plant a hedgerow, the commitment will be for one metre per eligible hectare. Where a farmer selects to plant twice the commitment, that is, six trees per eligible hectare or two metres of hedgerow per eligible hectare, this will count as two practices and qualify a farmer for the full Eco-Scheme payment.

5 – Use of GPS controlled fertiliser spreaders/sprayers

Under this practice, a farmer will be required to spread at least 60% of all chemical fertiliser, (compound or liquid) or plant protection products using a GPS controlled spreader or GPS controlled sprayer.

6 – Soil Sampling & Appropriate Liming

A farmer will be required to undertake soil sampling on all eligible hectares. This practice can be chosen once every three years in line with Teagasc guidance regarding the appropriate intervals between soil samples being taken and the farmer must apply lime if recommended.

7 – Planting of a Break Crop

The planting of a break crop will require that at least 20% of the arable area of the holding in the year of the commitment is planted with prescribed break crop(s) of either Oilseed Rape, Oats, Peas and Beans or a combination of one or more of these crops.

8 – Sowing a Multi-Species Sward

Under this practice, a farmer will be required to sow multi-species sward on at least 6% of the eligible hectares in the year the farmer selects this agricultural practice.

All Eco-Scheme agricultural practices must go beyond the conditionality requirements laid down in the EU Regulations and must take account of national legislation. Therefore, for example, agricultural practice 3 (limiting chemical Nitrogen) will not be available to Organic Farmers as they are already prohibited from spreading chemical fertiliser.

I have been clear in the need to have a straightforward, practical Eco-Scheme that will ensure  that my Department will be in a position to make payments on an annual basis to farmers, while also ensuring the Eco-Scheme delivers on its objectives in relation to climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. In relation to the proposed Agricultural Practices, I must emphasise that while they have been included within Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan, they have yet to be approved by the European Commission. My Department will be liaising with the European Commission over the coming months as part of this approval process.