Minister McConalogue has launched a public consultation on the draft environmental report on the proposed CSP 2023-2027.
The consultation will run for 30 days, from November 8th, 2021 to December 8th, 2021.
The announcement follows a presentation by his department of the draft environmental report to the CAP Stakeholder Consultative Committee.
CSP environmental report
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said:
“I acknowledge again the invaluable contribution of all stakeholders, through the work of the CAP Consultative Committee to date and in other fora, to the development of the proposed CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.”
He said the expenditure, which amounts to almost €10 billion over the period, “exemplifies the shared endeavour we have been engaged in to support the development of the sector in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way”.
He said this period of public consultation provides stakeholders and all citizens with a further opportunity to express views on the draft CAP Strategic Plan along with the draft Environmental Report, including the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and an Appropriate Assessment (AA).
The report examines:
- The potential environmental impacts of the plan, both positive and negative;
- Where it identifies potential threats, it outlines key mitigation measures and recommendations.
The Minister further commented: “I promised to bring this CAP to the farmers of Ireland through a deep and wide consultation process. I believe that has been the case.”
“I have been listening to the views of stakeholders over the past few months and most recently at the mart meetings.”
Changes to draft plan
He said he has made changes to the draft plan “where possible”.
The minister said he has changed the DAFM’s approach to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme.
He said the number of suckler cows the DAFM will pay a farmer on as part of the intervention will still be based on a reference year.
However, there “will be flexibility for farmers to increase the number of animals on their farm outside of the intervention”.
Based on “successful” pilots in 2021, he is including the Straw Incorporation Measure for the full CAP cycle.
Likewise, the minister has programmed the Collaborative Farming Grant for the full period.
He said this offers the surety that farmers can avail of that support up to at least 2027 under the CSP.
McConalogue confirmed the DAFM has made “a number of other changes” to the draft CSP in light of stakeholder feedback:
He outlined these include:
- Additional support for generational renewal and for women in farming in both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 elements;
- Other improvements.
The Minister confirmed his officials will continue to work on the plan over the coming weeks.
He said they will “fully take account of:
- The recently announced Climate Action Plan 2021;
- Stakeholder feedback on the draft plan and the environmental report.
He views this as a “matter of urgency” to meet the statutory deadline of January 1st, 2022.
How to make a submission
Members of the public and stakeholders may make submissions in two ways:
- A digital questionnaire will be available from November 8th. The link will shortly be made available on http://www.gov.ie/cap/
- Written submissions can be made by email to [email protected]
or by post to:
CAP Rural Development Division,
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street,
D02 WK12
Submissions should be marked: ‘Draft Environmental Report’
