Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024
Specific Details
Draft Rural Development Programme
Intended results
To highlight that much of the updates relate to increased annual expenditure across individual schemes; minor changes (e.g. NRN changing to CAP Network Ireland) and/or reporting on activities carried out throughout year.
To highlight that Ireland's percentage drawdown for EU funding (EAFRD & EURI) stood at 94.08% (vs. EU average 79.62%). Public expenditure on the RDP fell from €670m in 2022 to €208.4m in 2023.
To highlight that the biggest contributor to Focus Area 1A was Measure 1 KT Groups (training for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Programme (GLAS) participants). Clarification is needed on what plans/actions are being undertaken to increase beyond current standing (87% of 2025 target) given these schemes are closed for application.
To emphasise that, with reference to Focus Area 1B (strengthening linkages between agriculture, food production and forestry, and research and innovation thereby improving environmental management and performance) loss of a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) in an area can be damaging to both economic & environmental gains made during the project timeframe (e.g. Burren Scheme).
To propose that a new 'Farming for Habitat and Farming for Species' payment needs to be introduced to maximise environmental gain and compensate farmers who suffered a loss in income when the Hen Harrier; Pearl Mussel; Burren Schemes etc. ended, and/or subsequent EIPs finish up.
To propose that, for strategic important EIPs (e.g. FarmPEAT) - additional funding should be found to extend these projects beyond the 5-year timeframe and/or allow expansion to other areas.
To question what the expected timeline is for publication of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) spending review? With regard same, part of the assessment should focus on how much funding is directly received by participating farmers visa vie other stakeholders/paying agencies involved. It is essential leakage of funds away from primary producers is minimised in all instances.
To require clarification re Focus Area 1C (concerned with fostering lifelong learning & vocational training in the Ag/For sectors), and likelihood of scaling up activity to reach 2025 target.
To question why no payments were made in 2023 under TAMS III. This is simply unacceptable. A full review is required and corrective strategies implemented to ensure such stifled on-farm investment and vacuum of information does not occur again. Processing of applications and payment claims needs to be simplified.
To emphasise that there needs to be minimisation of bureaucracy/verification to speed up the process and help ensure all funding is fully utilised. Any unused funding within the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) must be retained and re-circulated for future tranches to support on-farm investment.
To highlight that, to keep in line with current levels of inflation, investment ceilings most be increased further and costings must be index linked and/or updated at least annually. Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) reference costs remain very much out of kilter with prevailing costs of materials. This may significantly limit the number of farmers applying for TAMS support. This is particularly relevant given Revenues changed perspective on items eligible for VAT 58 re claims.
To question if the AgScheme platform is truly fit-for-purpose as suggested (particularly in context of delayed farm payments - Area's of National Constraint (ANC); Basic Income Support for Sustainability ( BISS); Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), in addition to TAMS noted above.
- The Department need to fully assess and review the capabilities of its Information Technology infrastructure so as to avoid subsequent issues and/or processing delays.
That where, during administration of individual schemes, technical / processing issues are identified with the Departments I.T infrastructure which may inhibit the achievement of approval/payment deadlines, the Department should commit to immediately notifying the farmer and Farm Bodies, with an interim payment and/or alternative means of administration to meet payment / approval deadlines provided to meet agreed dates/deadlines under the Departments Farmers Charter of Rights 2023-2027.
To question, for Focus Area 3A (concerned with improving competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agri-food chain through quality schemes, adding value to agricultural products, encouraging promotion in local markets and short supply circuits, producer groups and inter-branch organisations), is it realistic to set the 2025 target at double existing levels and expenditure at 97% and similar levels of expenditure planned for following year?
If yes, what targeted interventions are expected?
To seek clarification on p33 ‘Organics- Debt Transfer' which suggests is related to old Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). How does such a time-lag exist?
To highlight that Focus Area 5D- Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) - The targets for FA 5D are the percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and/or ammonia emissions and the percentage of Livestock Units (LUs) concerned by investments to reduce GHG/ammonia emissions.
To highlight that the 2025 target values have already been achieved with uptake at 114% and 353 % respectively relating to the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) & the Beef Data & Genomics Programme (BDGP)—positive that targets have been exceeded in advance, and important that such performance indicators are better profiled to demonstrate more fully the positive contribution farmers are making to society and tackling our climate change obligations
To seek clarification on whether the payment to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Teams of €6.4m in 2022 for prep, but nothing in 2023. Was this just a once off payment; or is there an annual allocation from this Budget; or is it all out of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) now?
To emphasise that for choice and greater equality, it is essential that there exists an ‘Opt-out' option for online applications, in limited circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, where physical correspondence / applications are the preferred option. This may be due to limited broadband coverage; age demographics etc.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Rachel Moloney IFA Policy Executive
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Charlie McConalogue
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Amii McKeever
Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)