In terms of our rural development programme and our measures within that, we have to engage with the European Commission in terms of getting approval for schemes that are part of that. State aid, which is important with this, comes within the rural development programme. That is why I am engaging with Europe and seeking permission to be able to accommodate additional farmers within the terms of the CAP. Out of €79 million this year for additional new environmental measures, €23 million is coming from the carbon tax…

I thank Deputy Harkin for her question. The exact shape of the various provisions under the next CAP are still under negotiation. Until all of those are complete there is not final certainty with regard to the exact level of convergence that will be applied, or the proportion of the direct payments ceiling allocated to eco-schemes. The general approach agreed by Council last November would see a minimum of 20% of the direct payments ceiling for Ireland dedicated to eco-schemes, while the Parliament is arguing for a…

My position at the Council of Ministers has been to maintain a 20% minimum threshold in terms of the eco-schemes. The Parliament is pushing for 30%. It is important that we try to ensure we maintain the basic payment scheme farmers get to support them to produce top quality, healthy and safe food, and also to do that in a way that is consistent with good environmental practice. Within the new CAP a minimum of 20% will go to the eco-schemes. I will be trying to frame them in a way that ensures that while we have eco…

I thank Deputy Harkin. That piece of research was to establish what the value of the entitlement would be. That is what the figures that were set out showed. The value of the entitlement is going to exclude the eco-scheme payment, which will be extracted from the entitlement value in the first place. That is what the research showed. I agree with Deputy Harkin that it all must be looked at in the round. There will be full and accurate detail and data on this from the Department. There will be full disclosure and fu…

At present, the trilogue negotiations are ongoing on all aspects of the CAP programme at European level. As the Deputy knows, in Ireland, convergence has been a central part of direct payments throughout the current CAP programme. In 2019, the goal of all payment entitlements reaching a minimum value of 60% of the national average was completed. In that time, Ireland also set a maximum payment entitlement value which in practice meant that all BPS payments now lie between €160 and €700 per hectare with a national a…

It will not be a matter of what I or my officials do whenever it comes to our national CAP plan. It will be a matter of engaging fully with farmers throughout the country on what our plan should look like, and fully consulting everyone before I, as Minister, make any calls on that. My approach in Europe has been to ensure we have as much national discretion as possible to set our own destiny in this regard. On the Deputy's point regarding the transition period and my position in advance of the election, which was t…

I thought I had been clear but maybe not. My position at European level has been to try to ensure, in terms of the CAP, that we have as much discretion as possible to make our own decisions domestically coming out of that. I have outlined the situation at European level in terms of the Council position of 75% and the Parliament position of 100%. It remains to be seen where that will land at European level. What the Deputy seemed to be saying is that I, as Minister, should decide what the outcome will be, and what I…

I will not be setting any level on this without-----

I will not be setting any level on this without first consulting farmers. I am surprised to hear that the Deputy is suggesting I should do otherwise. I am also looking forward to hearing her policy and everyone else's policy on this. Coming out of that, I will make a decision and make a call on it.

I have been consistent on this at all times. I am disappointed to see the Deputy trying to portray it as otherwise.

I outlined that in my previous response, if the Deputy wishes to go back over it and listen to exactly what the position is during the transition period.

The Deputy's written question was dealing with the task force as well but I will first respond to his point about blockchain. It certainly is exciting technology and the potential of it is very strong indeed. It is something we have had discussions on previously in great detail. We certainly have a premium product in Ireland. Farmers put in tremendous effort to produce quality, healthy and safe food. It is essential we work in every way we can to ensure we are targeting the premium markets and getting value for tha…

Transparency and traceability are key with all the food we produce. Farmers and all in the food supply chain go to great efforts to show where it is coming from at a farm level, from both a quality and a safety point of view. Ultimately, that is also very important in trying to ensure we get the maximum price for it when we go to sell it. The potential of any new technologies around this must be explored to see how they can assist us because we have a tremendous platform and agrifood sector to build on and try to d…

As I said, I am certainly open to considering this and looking at its potential to benefit farmers. On the point I referred to about the task force, at its most recent meeting, the third report it produced on price composition along the supply chain was presented to task force members. They are considering it and commenting on it and will meet again in early June to take that work forward.

I thank the Deputy for his question. In keeping with the programme for Government, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders in supporting urban horse welfare programmes, in particular in the context of facilities and education programmes. Funding provided to South Dublin County Council in support of the Clondalkin Equine Centre has been the largest capital commitment by the Department in support of an urban horse programm…

I thank the Deputy. This tremendous project has been recognised and supported by the Government to the tune of over €500,000. That is a reflection of the commitment we have to supporting projects like this and the value they add to local communities, equine care and welfare and the education of and provision of opportunities to young people so they can engage with horses and develop their skills. The project was established on the basis that it would become self-sustaining and there was much engagement between the …

I thank the Deputy. There has been tremendous commitment to this from the Department, as the Deputy can see from the level of funding. I recognise the tremendous work the club is doing and the value to youths in the community. I certainly look forward to visiting it and other similar projects whenever there is time in the near future. I also want to look at projects like this that can work with young people with a tremendous interest in horses so as to develop their skills and capacity to engage in and enjoy the pu…

I thank Deputies Carthy and Clarke for tabling the question. With sheep meat, it is good to see weekly prices since the start of 2021 are running consistently higher than the same period in both 2019 and 2020, with prices in early May at €7.45 per kg, a 38% increase on the same week in 2020. The year-to-date national average price is almost 30% up on the same period in 2020. The outlook for Irish and EU lamb prices for the remainder of 2021 is positive, with global sheep meat prices projected to remain good. It is …

The funding of €100,000 is there for research to develop opportunities and potential for domestic use and income from wool. We will be very much guided by the submissions we receive and we will reflect on the suggestions coming out of that to see how we can best utilise that funding to try to ensure there are new opportunities. If any opportunities present, we will look to develop them. It has been a very challenging space for farmers over the last years where wool prices have not been able to cover the cost of cli…

We would first look to explore the options for developing markets so there would be a price for wool that can actually deliver a profit for farmers and ensure the cost associated with clipping was also covered. The sheep welfare scheme has been an important scheme for farmers and it has been extended this year. I have also updated the reference years to ensure the maximum number of farmers take part in it and that the number of sheep they have is reflected in the payments they receive. We will be looking at the she…