Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2002. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the most likely applicants and beneficiaries by farming sector for the current proposed eco-schemes in pillar 1 through the modelling exercises that have been prepared by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2094/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan has now been submitted to the EU Commission for approval. Under the draft plan, the Eco-Scheme is intended to reward farmers from all farming sectors, 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. It is proposed that  farmers will apply for the Eco-Scheme at the same time as their application for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) from 2023 onwards.

Payment under the Eco-Scheme will be an annual payment for all eligible hectares covered by the commitments undertaken. Based on 2021 Basic Payment Scheme figures, an expected 129,000 eligible farmers could participate in the scheme and the payment per hectare will be impacted by the actual participation rate.

If all 129,000 farmers participate in the Scheme and bring in all their eligible land and assuming all eligible hectares on a farmer’s holding receive the same payment rate, it is estimated the rate would be approximately €66 per eligible hectare. If uptake is lower, for example, with 85% of farmers participating in the Scheme, then it is estimated the payment rate would increase to €77 per eligible hectare, assuming all eligible hectares on a farm holding receive the same payment rate.  It should be noted that the Eco scheme  as proposed will payable on all the eligible hectares declared by a farmer, not just on the number of entitlements held by the farmer. 

The list of eight agricultural practices proposed by Ireland  in the draft CAP Strategic Plan is set out below. A farmer will have to undertake two agricultural practices to receive an Eco-Scheme payment except in the case of Space for Nature where if the farmer meets 10% that will count as two agricultural practices or in the case of Planting of Native Trees or Hedgerows where if the farmer plants 6 trees per eligible hectare or 2 metres of hedgerow per eligible hectare, that will count as two agricultural practices.

- Space for Nature

- Extensive Livestock Production

- Limiting Chemical Nitrogen

– Planting of Native Trees/Hedgerows

– Use of GPS controlled fertiliser spreaders/sprayers

– Soil Sampling & Appropriate Liming

– Planting of a Break Crop

– Sowing a Multi-Species Sward

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, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan was submitted to the EU Commission on 31 December 2021. The plan, including the details of Ireland's proposed Eco-Scheme, is now being considered by the EU Commission and is subject to Commission approval. My Department will be liaising with the EU Commission over the coming months as part of this approval process.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2003. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that will be better off with 85% convergence and 100% convergence, respectively relative to their current payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2096/22]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2004. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of farm payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2097/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2003 and 2004 together.

The position of farmers in each county that would be comparatively better off with a 100% convergence option versus the 85% convergence option in both the first and final year of convergence remains as stated in Parliamentary Question 55062/21 and Parliamentary Question 56451/21 with the caveats of the data modelling outlined.

The payment position will be unique to every farmer due to their payment entitlement value, but also their eligible land area, and the Pillar 1 schemes (Eco scheme and the  Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability scheme etc) for which they apply. 

The figures examined include the allocation for Eco-Schemes which result in a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) ceiling, that in turn determines convergence and therefore the BISS value.

My Department is currently working on a modelling document that will inform farmers of the final measures submitted in the CAP Strategic Plan. This will hopefully add clarity for farmers on the payment landscape in 2023 and beyond.