The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is carefully considering all aspects of the CAP proposals to assess their potential impact on applicants.
That is according to Minister Cowen who made a statement in response to a question raised by Sinn Féin’s Johnny Mythen on June 30th.
Mythen asked Cowen if CAP funds will be limited to €60,000 for corporate farm enterprises and wealthy landowners.
Capping payments
Cowen pointed out that the CAP post-2020 legislative proposals set out a number of measures relating to distribution of payments.
“These include a proposal to implement a mandatory overall cap of €100,000, as well as degressivity, or gradual reductions, for payments above €60,000.”
“The capping proposal would apply to all farmers and not just those who may choose to operate as a company, he added.
“Ireland has previously indicated its willingness to implement capping. Under the current CAP regulations, Ireland has already applied the maximum level of degressivity allowable for basic payments over €150,000.”
“While the different elements of the capping proposal are part of the draft CAP proposals, the issue of its mandatory application to direct payments is being considered as part of the overall budgetary discussions under the Multiannual Financial Framework.”
“These negotiations are ongoing and are running in parallel to the CAP post-2020 negotiations.”
He said he will continue to work effectively with his European colleagues, with the Commission and with the European Parliament, to shape these proposals into an effective new CAP and secure the “best possible outcome” for the Irish agri-food sector.
