The CAP Strategic Plan proposes to redistribute direct payments from larger to smaller and medium-sized holdings by way of the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS).
As such, small to medium-sized farmers may be especially anxious next year as they fill out their CAP forms, because many depend on qualifying for Direct Payments.
Teagasc has calculated that, in the absence of off-farm employment opportunities, some 63% of farm households and over 80% of small farms could be economically vulnerable, and without direct support, may not be viable. As such, this annual form-filling task for farmers is most very important.
The biggest diversion in 2023 of the direct payments farmers are accustomed will go to an Eco-Scheme that will reward farmers for actions beneficial to the climate, biodiversity, water quality and the environment. This eco-scheme budget has been ring-fenced at 25% of Ireland’s Direct Payments allocation.
Farmers can opt-in or out annually, but so much money is involved that most farmers will probably apply and endeavour to undertake the agricultural practices that will deliver environmental benefits and qualify them for eco-scheme payments. It seems that some farmers need only continue their existing practices to qualify. Farmers wishing to receive an Eco-Scheme payment must undertake at least two out of eight proposed agricultural practices.
The Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) will take 3% of the Direct Payments envelope in the proposed CAP strategic plan.
Farmers must also comply with proposed new conditionality attached to the BISS, principally the requirement that at least 4% of their lands must be non-productive in order to boost biodiversity.
All these 2023 changes may be daunting for many farmers.
LSL News.