New CAP ‘must deliver’ for most productive lands
LANDS designated as special area of conservation (SAC) and special protected areas (SPA) are adequately catered for in the upcoming CAP reform, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association has said.
INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said that on a per hectare basis these lands are “delivering a higher financial benefit to the Irish economy than all other lands which is a fact that has been ignored for far too long”.
“These lands are delivering up to €3,000/ha/ year which makes them the most productive in the country,” he said.
The Cloonacool man said that this assessment was based on the European Union’s Nature Fitness Check which details how Europe’s Natura 2000 network (containing SAC & SPA lands) is valued at between €200-300 billion per year.
“This valuation when translated to Ireland equates to between €2.6 and 3.1 billion per year or €3000/ha,” he said.
The INHFA leader said that farmers operating on these lands “have been restricted through the 38 Activities Requiring Consent for the past 20 years. Unfortunately, this fact has escaped some farmers and their representatives who have questioned the agricultural output of these lands while never acknowledging the obvious restrictions and how these impacts on this output”.
Discussing the EU Nature Fitness Check, Mr O’Donnell said that this puts a monetary value on the benefits farmers on these lands are delivering in terms of improved biodiversity, better water and air quality, while also helping to mitigate against climate change.
“With the new CAP prioritising the need to deliver on these environmental concerns, it is essential that farmers who have had their farming activity and income curtailed through these restrictions, are rewarded for the public good they provide in terms of environmental output.
“The current CAP has failed spectacularly in delivering for farmers on these designated lands. “This must change and the new CAP provides us with the opportunity to address this. Parity of payment through a flat rate
BISS for farmers with the highest environmental restrictions is essential. “This, in addition to automatic entry to the eco-scheme for all farmers impacted by the Natura designations, is a minimum requirement under the Pillar 1 Programme.” Mr O’Donnell stressed the need for the EU and Irish state “to do what they have not done so far and pay farmers for the public good they are doing”. “With the Irish economy benefiting to the tune of €2-3 billion each year there can no longer be an excuse to not do so,” he said.