Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue is still considering the matter of convergence farm payments in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

As a transition period takes effect next year until the next CAP is implemented, the Minister also said that it had been proposed that the matter of continued convergence during the transition period would be up to each member state.

This means the Department of Agriculture and Minister McConalogue will have the final say on the matter of convergence next year.

The Minister was speaking in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin spokesperson for agriculture Matt Carthy.

Convergence is a bone of contention for many farmers

Convergence is a bone of contention for many farmers and the period of planned convergence ended in 2019.

Convergence involves the flattening and redistribution of farm payments to bring all farmers up to a similar national average, as payments were initially based on historic calculations which many farmers feel are now outdated.

“Under the current CAP, some €93m was redistributed from farmers with payment entitlements values above the national average to raise the value of payment entitlement held by farmers that were below the national average,” the Minister said.

“I am reflecting on the approach that should be adopted and I will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholder organisations.

“I am mindful that any decision on convergence during the transition period is interlinked with plans for convergence in the new CAP.”