Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Must Continue Under next CAP – IFA

IFA President Francie Gorman said he was concerned about some aspects of the latest CAP proposals which are due to be discussed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels next Monday. This meeting will be chaired by Minister Martin Heydon. 

“Our initial review of the revised draft CAP Regulation is that while it contains some positive aspects, there are some concerning aspects too,” he said. 

One of our biggest concerns is the proposal to make the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme voluntary at Member State level in the next CAP programme. 

“This would mean that Member States, including Ireland, would have the option of not running such a scheme. In our view this text should be changed so that it remains mandatory. If the Minister is not able to deliver that at EU level, he must give a commitment that the ANC scheme will be continued and enhanced in Ireland under the next CAP,” he said.

The ANC payment is one of the most straight forward CAP schemes to administer and gets money to farmers in an efficient way. It is a core part of farm income, particularly for some of our most vulnerable farm sectors operating on more upland/marginal land.

“Minister Heydon needs to re-assure Irish farm families that ANC payments will be a strong part of the next CAP programme in Ireland,” he said.