Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

708. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to examine a mechanism to engage with stakeholders on the design of national agriculture schemes as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37652/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The programme for Government "Securing our Future" contains a commitment to

"examine a mechanism to engage with stakeholders on the design of national agriculture schemes."

My Department is committed to ongoing contact and engagement with stakeholders on the design of both nationally funded and CAP funded schemes.

In the case of nationally funded schemes, meetings were held earlier this year on the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, the National Beef Welfare Scheme and the National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme where there was constructive engagement between stakeholders and my Department.

In the case of CAP funded schemes, there is significant engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders on all aspects of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan. In addition, ongoing changes to the CAP Strategic Plan are brought to consultation with stakeholders through the CAP monitoring committee.

In addition to those mechanisms, my Department takes it obligations under the Farmers' Charter very seriously. The Farmers' Charter Monitoring Committee meets quarterly (the last meeting for example was held on the 12th of June) and all areas concerned with schemes meets with farm bodies to discuss and monitor scheme deliverables.

My Department remains open and ready to engage with stakeholders to help ensure the best outcome for farmers and farming in Ireland.