Ireland supports Austrian bid for EU to defer ANC changes
In reply to a Dáil question by Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed that Ireland has backed Austria’s proposal to extend the current scheme. An EU-Irish co-funded scheme, the ANC delivered €205m to almost 100,000 Irish farmers last year.
The Government has committed to a €25m top-up in 2018 to reverse cuts imposed since 2009. Prior to the recession, Irish ANC payments totalled €250m annually.
If the EU approves Austria’s proposal to extend the current ANC format, the scheme would retain its focus on socio-economic criteria (i.e. low incomes) instead of the new focus on bio-physical criteria such as low temperature, dryness, excess soil moisture, limited soil drainage, unfavourable texture and stoniness, shallow rooting depth, poor chemical properties and steep slopes.
“Austria has proposed a request — which we have supported — that this particular proposal would be deferred for a period of time,” said Mr Creed.
“It is likely to be at least 12 months. The Commission has yet to finalise that. It is part of what is called an omnibus regulation.
“If the Commission acquiesces in that request, it would secure the status quo for a period of time. The reason an extension is being sought is that various member states are struggling to have the necessary work completed. Some members states have it completed, but the Austrian position arose because it is not ready. We are not ready either and if this gives us more time to prepare, that is well and good.”
Deputy McConalogue also asked the minister to confirm that the Government will deliver on its commitment to add €25m to the ANC scheme for 2018. He also said Ireland has failed to meet its own spring and early summer 2017 deadlines to complete maps designating ANC-eligible lands.
“Can you elaborate on the state of your unreadiness and on the exact position in that regard?” asked Mr McConalogue.
“There has been no consultation with the farming community yet in terms of the current position of that mapping exercise, nor have any maps been provided.”
Mr Creed said the €25m commitment in the Programme for Government remains, but added that this was a matter for the budget later this year. He said that Ireland will not be able to publish maps this summer. He said he suspects the Commission will extend the timeline for preparation of the maps.
Meanwhile, IFA’s rural development chairman, Joe Brady, has called on the minister to confirm his commitment to increase funding for the ANC scheme to €230m in 2018. A nationwide IFA campaign is seeking a restoration of funding by €50m and an increase in payment rates to support farm income. The IFA also wants the payments rates to reflect the natural handicap in disadvantaged areas.
“The decision by Minister Creed to support a deferral of the ANC review, due to take place this year for implementation next year, must not deflect from the Programme for Government commitment that the funding for the scheme will increase by €25m in 2018,” said Mr Brady. “As far as IFA is concerned, there is no relationship between the review and the provision of the additional funding There is a commitment to increase funding by €25m in 2018, but the total funding for the ANC scheme should increase to the level it was before cuts, €250m.”
To ensure ANC payments help the most disadvantaged farmers, IFA has urged the Government to frontload payments on the first 20 hectares, with a target maximum of €6,000. In terms of eligibility criteria, IFA says Ireland’s poorest farming areas share features such as low productivity, marginal land, areas prone to floods, reduced growing season, low stocking rates, slopes, coastal areas subject to erosion, altitude and soil type.
IFA hill farming chairman, Pat Dunne, said: “ANC payments are a vital support for sustaining hill farming and should be pitched at a level that reflects the conditions under which farming is carried out in the most marginal and hilly areas. Payments must be front-loaded on the first 20ha and the target maximum should be €6,000. Additional funding can be a major help for the 30,000 farmers who have classified hill land.”
