As fears continue to grow over the potential introduction of a “two-tier” system in CAP reform on land eligibility, Colm O'Donnell president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has penned an open letter to Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. The letter issued this morning states:Dear Minister McConalogue,As president of INHFA, I am writing to you on behalf of farmers that operate on carbon-rich soils – our farmed wetlands and peatlands. Under proposals in the new CAP programme, farmers operating on these lands will be required to comply with a new Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition Standard 2 (GAEC 2) that threatens the agricultural status of their lands. It also for the first time creates an unnecessary risk for farmers who deliver for the environment. In addition, it will have the effect of you as minister continuing to seek such a derogation to ensure payments going forward.

Source: Irish Independent April 29, 2021 07:30 UTC