EU’s minimum payment per hectare plan ‘not negotiable’

EU agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos said in Dublin last night he would insist on the introduction of a minimum payment per hectare in the EU single farm payment scheme, as negotiations continue on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap).

This would increase payment for farmers who had previously received very low payments per hectare, but would also take money from farmers on much higher payments. “We cannot accept . . . farmers with €50 per hectare and others with €1,000 per hectare,” he said. “For the commission this is not a negotiable issue . . . My last word is that we need a very clear and ambitious minimum threshold in order to have an agreement.”

Mr Ciolos was speaking after he arrived in Dublin last night for a two-day informal EU council of agriculture ministers meeting which gets under way at Dublin Castle this morning. It will also involve members of the European Parliament.

More power
For the first time, the final Cap deal must be approved by the parliament, as well as the European Commission and the council of agricultural ministers, following a strengthening of the parliament's powers.

The Irish Farmers' Association has been vociferous in opposing the introduction of a minimum payment per hectare, arguing that it will take money from the most productive farmers. It has urged Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to oppose it.

The farm organisation is planning a protest outside Dublin Castle tomorrow as the informal meeting continues.

Mr Coveney is aiming to reach agreement on the farm policy before the Irish presidency of the EU ends next month.

IFA president John Bryan said any backtracking on the agreement reached by the council of agriculture ministers in March would affect Mr Coveney's credibility.

The late-night agreement, hammered out under Mr Coveney’s chairmanship, did not include a mandatory minimum payment. He urged Mr Coveney to get support from like-minded countries that opposed the plan.

Last night Mr Ciolos said the informal meeting was a good opportunity to prepare for the final political agreement in June. “We have to progress and we prove that when the three institutions play the game in trialogue, we are able to find a solution and advance.”