Following its initial review of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the European Commission is likely to suggest new or different eco-schemes, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

Ireland is one of 19 EU member states to have submitted its CAP plan and it includes eight eco-scheme options for farmers.

While the review of Ireland’s plan is in an early phase, it is understood that the proposals the Government has sent to the Commission for Irish farmers are likely to receive feedback with suggested changes.

Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has said that the Commission has begun the process of reviewing Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan

There is likely to be a request to increase the environmental action required under some of the eco-schemes, according to two Irish MEPs.

Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski has said that the Commission has begun the process of reviewing Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, alongside other member states, with plans currently submitted.

Commissioner Wojciechowski said if member states don’t clearly show how they intend to achieve the aims of EU biodiversity strategies, they will be asked to make changes.

Feedback the norm

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, a separate EU source noted that Ireland can expect a certain level of feedback from the Commission following its assessment and that this “would be the norm”.

We will examine how member states identified their needs

Commissioner Wojciechowski said: “The Commission will assess the plans with careful scrutiny, using the specific criteria set out in the strategic plan regulation.

“We will examine how member states identified their needs, the underlying evidence they used, the interventions they intend to harness and the targets they have set.”

The Department of Agriculture did not respond to queries on the CAP plan at the time of going to print.

Eight EU member states have yet to submit their CAP Strategic Plans following the 1 January 2022 deadline.

Commissioner Wojciechowski said these countries have “received letters reminding them to do so as soon as possible”.

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