Arrangements for specific schemes cannot be clarified until midsummer at the earliest

It will be mid-2020 at least before farmers have details on continuation of the many EU schemes they benefit from, as one of the worst ever EU decision logjams shows no sign of breaking.

Since mid-2018, member states have been intensely negotiating the EU’s 2021-2027 long-term budget plan, but with little progress.

It has been made even more difficult by Brexit, and by member states that want a more ambitious EU but are refusing to open up national purse-strings.

CAP reform will be delayed two years by the budget negotiations stalemate, which has left the EU planning the way ahead in year-by-year transition periods.

Even that is very slow, with Agriculture Minister Michael Creed admitting, “We do not have clarity around what will be facilitated in that transitional directive, and it is unlikely to be finalised until mid-2020 perhaps.”

He was referring to current negotiations on EU transitional budget for a 12-month period, but admitted, “It is highly unlikely that the CAP will be ready following a 12-month extension.

It is likely that the extension will be for a minimum of two years, which is not desirable.

He was recently asked in the Dáil by Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan if the GLAS scheme will be extended, and replied that he is favourably disposed to the GLAS scheme, but any extension of GLAS must take place within the framework of EU transitional legislative and budgetary budget arrangements which will be discussed by Member States over the coming months.

Minister Creed was also asked if knowledge transfer schemes will be rolled over until the new CAP is agreed, and replied that arrangements for specific schemes will be clarified when there is further clarity on transitional EU rules for the period between the current CAP and its successor.

“However, agreement on this regulation is not expected until summer 2020, and is subject to agreement on the EU budget.”

“In the context of the transition period, we would like to roll over existing schemes, with flexibility where possible to pilot new initiatives, particularly in the climate sector,” said Minister Creed.

“We are anxious to be enabled to get some elements up and running.

“We do not have clarity around what will be facilitated in that transitional directive, and it is unlikely to be finalised until mid-2020 perhaps. “