Written answer
Agriculture Supports
Ireland opposed excluding pensioner farmers from CAP payments; the latest proposal makes the restriction optional, with post-2027 negotiations ongoing.
295. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on changes to agricultural grants from 2028; and if pensioners will still be able to access grants. [66091/26]
Comment on this
The Commission’s original proposal for CAP post-2027 included a provision under which farmers who had reached retirement age and were in receipt of a pension would not be eligible for direct payments.
A number of Member States, including Ireland, raised concerns regarding this provision and in the latest draft of the regulation, it has been made optional for Member States to implement.
The CAP post-2027 negotiations remain ongoing. Ireland, as Presidency, will continue to facilitate progress towards an agreement on a CAP framework that is effective, and sufficiently flexible to reflect the different circumstances and needs of Member States.