Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
701. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the proposal of Minister of State Healy-Rea at his Department concerning changing the definition of a farmer to allow people to claim increased forestry premiums will affect discussions and negotiations in defining an active farmer for the purposes of CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16676/26]
View answerA Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is currently being finalised following consultation with stakeholders. This process examined areas for improvement such as scheme performance and the removal of barriers to afforestation uptake.
Feedback received from stakeholders during this process indicated that more flexibility should be introduced in the current farmer definition within the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 to reduce the administrative burden on farmers and reduce barriers for succession.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is 100% Exchequer funded and operates pursuant to State Aid approval. It is separate and distinct from CAP. The Farmer Definition contained within the Forestry Programme is applicable for the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 only and will not have any impact on other schemes operating within my Department.
Once all appropriate Mid Term Review processes are concluded, including sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, further details, including the new Farmer definition for forestry, will issue by Circular.
