According to Colm O’Donnell, president of the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers’ Association, a final CAP deal is “very close”.
The farm leader provided an update from Brussels this morning (Friday, June 25th, 2021).
He said: “A final CAP deal is very close that will see broad agreement on the major items.”
“This could be achieved as early as this evening (Friday, June 25) which will allow for a final agreement to be signed off on in Luxemburg early next week.”
The INHFA delegation has engaged in formal and informal meetings with a number of MEP’s and EU staff, with all indications from them being that a deal is imminent.
According to the farm leader, the deal will include details on:
- A minimum convergence level of 85% that each member state must reach;
- A requirement for front-loading of payments under the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability, (CRISS);
- An eco-scheme set at 25% with the possibility of 20% for the first two years to facilitate a learning period.
In outlining the INHFA ambition for this CAP reform, the INHFA leader stressed the need to protect the family farm model.
He highlighted the need to ensure that those who choose to farm are supported fairly in doing this.
Ongoing convergence of Pillar 1 payments with additional support through the CRISS are “the vehicles to deliver on this”, he stressed.
He maintained the eco-scheme must be available to all farmers with an equal uniform level of payments per hectare”.
Capping payments
The farm president believes the maximum payments under Pillar 1, should be reduced to €60,000 with no allowance for labour units.
“The whole point of a redistribution of payments is to support as many farmers as possible.”
“This is why we have a major issue with allowances for labour units as this provides additional support for very large commercial units and feedlots to the determinant of our family farm.”
The farm expects the final CAP deal to provide for further redistribution in Pillar 1 payments that support the “vast majority” of Irish farmers.
