The 27 EU member states will have 170 different eco-schemes next year if the European Commission accepts all of their submitted CAP Strategic Plans. Eight member states propose to use a rebate loophole that will allow them to spend some eco-scheme money on other projects, under certain conditions. Animal welfare interventions are included in 11 member states’ eco-schemes, in 18 member states’ farm investment plans, and in 21 member states’ agri-environmental commitments. Ireland is one of only five member states proposing measures supporting rural women, with two member states addressing, in particular, the objective to improve the participation of women in farming. At the March Council meeting of EU agriculture ministers, the need for the European Commission to approve member states’ CAP plans quickly was emphasised.

Source: Irish Examiner March 29, 2022 15:21 UTC