Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific actions his Department is taking to reduce the bureaucratic burden on Irish farmers, particularly small and family-run farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4588/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In recent years, simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy has been a key focus for my Department. It is well accepted that the conditionality and regulation associated with farming has become increasingly complex.

I will continue to be an advocate for simplification, including in my role representing Ireland at monthly meetings of the AgriFish Council. I want to ensure that the rules associated with farm payments can be applied in a practical way that recognises the realities of farming life, and enables efficient administration.

In 2024, the European Commission introduced some changes to the CAP regulations, with a view to reducing the administrative burden for farmers. These changes included an important exemption from controls and penalties under the CAP conditionality for the 20,000 farmers in Ireland farming on less than ten hectares.

The Commission is continuing its work in this area, and we expect to see further simplification proposals in this CAP. I will advocate for the principle of simplification to remain a priority for the CAP post-2027.

My Department has made additional large-scale and impactful improvements to reduce complexity for farmers. These include changes to our digital platforms, such as the single digital platform for area aid applications, new uses for our area monitoring system to reduce on-farm inspections. My Department provides support for farmers through helpdesks, webinars and in-person clinics.

I will continue to take every opportunity to make changes to benefit farmers.