GAEC 7 Exemption for Smaller Tillage Farmers a Positive Move

Commenting on the latest CAP simplification developments, IFA Grain Chair Kieran McEvoy said the move to exempt farmers with an area below 30ha from GAEC 7 crop diversification or rotation regulations is a positive development.

“While this decision is subject to final ratification by the EU Council and Parliament, it would seem the current requirement to grow two crops on holdings under 30ha will now be removed,” Kieran McEvoy said.

“Our tillage area has contracted significantly in the past decade and some of the exodus has been from smaller farmers who didn’t wish to grow more than one crop. Hopefully this will help encourage these farms to consider producing tillage crops again,” he said.

IFA raised the GAEC 7 issue with Irish MEPs to ensure the two-crop rule was dealt with under the simplification proposals. IFA also proposed that the threshold for implementation of the 3-crop rule should be raised from 30 hectares to 50 hectares. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful on this occasion, but we will continue to raise this ongoing issue.  

“Once fully approved, it is vital that the Department implement these regulatory changes in a timely manner to ensure they are in place ahead the 2026 spring planting season,” Kieran McEvoy concluded.