Press release
McConalogue announces derogation from Crop Diversification rules in 2023
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced today that Ireland will notify the EU Commission of its intention to avail of a derogation for cereal farmers in relation to the crop diversification rules for 2023. This change will provide maximum flexibility for farmers regarding their planting decisions in the coming weeks and months. The relaxation of these rules is part of the EU response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is aimed at addressing the heightened food security concerns related to global food availability and affordability.
The Minister said:
“This change should be seen as complementing the measures already taken by the government in 2022 to encourage Irish farmers to grow more tillage crops which in turn will help towards producing more food."
In relation to 2024, Minister McConalogue added:
“My officials are engaging with Commission services in relation to the Crop Diversification and Crop Rotation requirements from 2024. I am pleased to announce that a hybrid of Crop Diversification and Crop Rotation, suitable to the Irish situation, has been agreed with the European Commission."
Further information in relation to the Crop Diversification and Crop Rotation requirements from 2024 will be announced in the coming weeks, when discussions with the European Commission have concluded.
Within the current CAP, Greening and specifically Crop Diversification places obligations on tillage farmers regarding the number of crops that must be grown, as set out in the BPS Terms and Conditions, available on www.gov.ie/agriculture. For farmers with more than 10 hectares (Ha) of arable land, but less than 30 Ha, at least two crops must be grown. For those with more than 30 Ha, at least three crops must be grown. Along with the number crops farmers also must ensure that the main crop does not exceed 75% of the arable area and for those required to grow more than two crops that the two main crops do not exceed 95% of the arable area.
Certain exemptions exist to these crop diversification rules – the main one being that those with more than 75% grassland are exempt.
While Greening will not exist within the new CAP, elements of Greening have been moved into Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). GAEC 7 specifically covers “Crop rotation in arable land except for crops grown under water”.
A hybrid of Crop Rotation and Crop Diversification suitable to the Irish situation has been agreed with the European Commission:
Current Crop Diversification rules will continue to apply at farm level:
and
A new Crop Rotation requirement will apply at parcel level:
Exemptions:
Ireland has agreed a number of exemptions from both Crop Rotation and Crop Diversification, as follows:
Any certified organic land, including land ‘in conversion’, will automatically be considered compliant with GAEC 7, as long as it has been certified by an accredited body.
Ireland has also secured an exemption from both Crop Rotation and Crop Diversification in relation to catch crops. Farmers committing to sow at least 50% of arable area at farm level in catch crops annually AND sow ALL parcels in catch crops over the 4-year cycle will be exempt from Crop Diversification and Crop Rotation.
Ireland has also secured an additional exemption from Crop Rotation (Crop Diversification will still apply), that is, farmers of less than 50 Ha growing more than 50% barley will be exempt from Crop Rotation requirements. Crop Rotation will not apply to area under multiannual crops, grasses and other herbaceous forage, and land lying fallow. Further information in relation to exemptions, crop types and so on. will be announced in the coming weeks, when discussions with the European Commission have concluded.
To address the food security concerns related to global food availability and affordability dimensions, while contributing to the goals of the EU Green Deal, especially the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategy, the European Commission has provided for the possibility to exceptionally allow farmers flexibility to make use of their available arable land for food production under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1317.
For 2023, Ireland has decided to avail of this derogation from the application of GAEC 7 listed in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, Crop Diversification and Crop Rotation.
The derogation for 2023 is to support food security and farmers are encouraged to cultivate crops for food production.