Proposals on Tillage Crop Rules a Positive Development

IFA President Francie Gorman has welcomed the adoption of specific amendments by the European Parliament to the Commission proposal on CAP simplification, which has the potential to make it significantly easier for many tillage farmers to comply with CAP crop diversification rules.

“The decision of the Parliament to support the removal of the 2-crop rule and modify the 3-crop rule, if accepted, will increase flexibilities for many tillage farmers in terms of sowing decisions. It is now vital that these proposals are accepted by both Agriculture Ministers and the Commission to allow them to be fully implemented,” he said.

IFA Grain Chair Kieran McEvoy said the proposal would see the removal of the 2-crop rule, which currently applies to tillage farmers growing between 10 and 30 hectares, and increasing the threshold before which compliance with the 3-crop rule is required, from 30 hectares to 50 hectares.

“Effectively, under the proposal there would be no crop diversification requirements on tillage farmers growing fewer than 50 hectares. IFA had written to all Irish MEPs in advance of this important vote seeking support for this amendment.”

“Minister Heydon and his Department officials must use all their influence to make sure tillage farmers benefit from the crop diversification rule changes put forward by the Parliament,” he said.