‘New CAP’ talks now at crucial juncture
A SIGNIFICANT number of West of Ireland farmers – on higher entitlement levels – could end up worse off in the ‘New CAP’, according to a leading Connacht IFA representative.
Connacht IFA Chair, Pat Murphy, told the Farming Tribune that the ‘flat rate’ payment mechanism for the Eco part of the ‘New CAP’ would mean that some farmers would not be getting their money back in full, for compliance with this element of the scheme.
“There really are a lot of critical discussions going on at present at the highest EU levels on working out the nuts and bolts of the new scheme [old basic payments] which will have a major impact on farm incomes over the next six or seven years,” said Pat Murphy.
He said that overall – given the budget figures outlined – farmers would end up getting less money than before in the New CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), but the priority would be to try and maintain the level of payments as close as possible to the previous scheme.
The Eco (earth, habitat, ecology friendly) part of the Pillar 1 payments – replacing greening – will now form between 20% and 30% of the ‘Basic Payment’ money and will be payable on specific farm measures.
If farmers don’t undertake those measures in a particular year, they will lose out on that 20% to 30% of their payment for that year. The payments will be based on ‘carbon sequestration measures’, for example such as the planting of trees and hedgerows – and in emission reductions.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.