Some 22,262 farmers could see their payments boosted by €42/ha under the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Draft CAP regulations could see entitlement values increase to a minimum of approximately €199/ha by 2026, if 75% convergence is adopted in Ireland.

This represents a €42/ha boost on the €157/ha minimum value, which must be reached in 2019 as a result of convergence. All figures are including greening.

With an average farm size of 32ha, this potential €42/ha boost would be worth an average of €1,344 to each farmer.

Over the past five years, convergence has seen farmers’ low-value entitlements increase to a minimum of 60% of the national average.

This will see payments in 2019 reach a minimum of approximately €157/ha including greening, with the national average sitting at €265/ha.

Any changes to the future total CAP budget will affect payment rates to farmers.