O’Neill announces technical decisions on Pillar 1 CAP Reform

Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill today announced a series of technical decisions on the implementation of CAP reform from 2015.

Minister O’Neill said: “Following on from my announcement last month on the remaining key policy decisions establishing the broad CAP support framework, I am today outlining my decisions on a number of detailed technical matters which will form part of the overall farm support regime from1 January 2015. 

“These decisions were guided by the principle of ensuring a smooth and measured transition to the new Pillar I support regime and avoiding unnecessary changes where existing approaches are working successfully."

The Minister concluded: “Today’s announcements effectively conclude the decision making process arising from the CAP Reform agreement and attention will now focus on preparing for implementation.”

List of technical decisions taken:

1. The threshold for exempting businesses from the compulsory test which applies to those on the negative list (i.e. businesses that operate airports, railway services, waterworks, real estate services or permanent sport and recreational grounds) will be set at €5,000. Businesses receiving direct payments at or below €5,000 in a given year will not be subject to this test in that year.

2. No agricultural land in the north of Ireland will be designated as being naturally maintained in a state suitable for grazing and cultivation and, hence, there is no need to define the minimum agricultural activity that must be carried out on such land.

3. Agricultural areas will need to meet certain characteristics which will mirror current eligibility rules in order to be deemed as being maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation.

4. The current framework relating to the conduct of non-agricultural activities on agricultural land will remain unchanged.

5. Date on which land has to be at the farmer’s disposal in order to claim direct payments will remain 15 May.

6. The minimum field size of a field (eligible area) that can be used for claiming direct payments will remain at 0.1 ha.

7. The maximum tree density for land to be eligible for direct payments will be set at 50 trees per hectare.

8. The list of tree species that can be used for short rotation coppice to be eligible for direct support payments will remain unchanged (i.e. from within the Genera of Alder, Birch, Hazel, Ash, Lime, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Willow and Poplar).

9. The maximum harvest cycle for short rotation coppice to be eligible for direct support payments will be set at five years.

10. The Private Contract Clause by Sale option will be implemented.

11. Private Contract Clause by Lease option will not be implemented.

12. The Windfall Profit Clause option will not be implemented.

13. The value of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements already held by new entrants or young farmers which are below the regional average will be increased to the regional average value in the year of application when making an allocation from the regional reserve.

14. There will be no extension to the coverage of the Farm Advisory System beyond the mandatory requirements set out in EU legislation.

15. Those businesses on the negative list (see 1 above) seeking to demonstrate that they are engaged in significant agricultural activity must show that receipts obtained from agricultural activities represent at least one third of total receipts obtained in the most recent fiscal year for which information is available.

16. Agricultural activity for those on the negative list (see 1 above) shall be considered to be the principal business or company object of a legal person if it is recorded as a principal business or company object in the official business register (or equivalent), with equivalent evidence being required in the case of a natural person.

17. For the purposes of crop diversification (under greening obligations), the crop must be present (or its stubble/residue present to enable the original crop to be identified) during the entire period of 1 June to 31 July each year.

18. For the purposes of crop diversification, different seed mixtures will not be recognised as constituting separate crops. If a farmer grows more than one seed mixture, the seed mixtures will collectively be regarded as one crop.

19.The list of tree species that can be used for short rotation coppice for Ecological Focus Area (EFA) purposes (under greening obligations) will be from the Genera Alder, Birch, Hazel, Ash, Lime, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Willow and Poplar.

20. The use of mineral fertiliser on short rotation coppice used to meet an EFA requirement will not be permitted. The use of plant protection products will not be permitted beyond the end of the second growing season post planting.

21. The nitrogen fixing crops that can be used for EFA purposes will be peas, beans and sweet lupins.

22. These nitrogen fixing crops used for EFA purposes may be grown on any area of arable land (i.e. no additional restrictions will be imposed). However, they must be grown in compliance with the requirements of the Nitrates Action Plan, Cross Compliance Regulations and any other regulatory requirement if they are to count for EFA purposes.

23. In a farm business where two or more young farmers, taken together, constitute the head of holding, then all such young farmers must meet the educational qualification requirements in order for the business to be eligible for the Young Farmers’ Scheme. Young farmers in a business who individually or in combination with other young farmers are not head of holding will not be required to meet the educational qualification requirements in order for the business to be eligible for the Young Farmers’ Scheme (provided, of course, there is another young person(s) who is head of holding and who possesses the required qualification). 

24. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or email: DARD Press Office. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440and your call will be returned.

Ministers express sadness at farming deaths

First Minister the Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA have expressed their deep sadness at the passing of three members of the Spence family in a tragic accident at their family farm in Hillsborough yesterday.

The Ministers said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden and tragic passing of Noel Spence and his sons Nevin and Graham in an accident on their family farm yesterday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Spence family at this extremely sad time and pass on our deepest condolences to them. We understand another member of the family, Emma, has been hospitalised following the accident and we wish her a full and speedy recovery.

“This tragedy has shocked the entire community and is a terrible reminder to us all of the dangers of farming life. Our thoughts are also with farmers everywhere at this time.

“Nevin was a rising star of local rugby and it is only a matter of months ago, in happier times, that we had the honour of hosting him and his colleagues at a reception in Parliament Buildings to celebrate the achievement of Ulster in reaching the Heineken Cup final. His untimely death is a blow for the game in the province and we sympathise with his teammates and everyone at Ulster Rugby who have lost a true colleague and friend."

Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill has expressed her condolences to the Spence family who tragically lost three family members in a farm accident yesterday evening.

Minister O'Neill said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this terrible tragedy which has hit this hard working farming family. My thoughts and prayers are with Noel, Graham and Nevin and their family and friends at this extremely difficult time. I also hope and pray that Emma Spence who was also involved in this accident makes a full recovery."

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "I want to express my sincere sympathies to the Spence family following the deaths of Noel Spence and his two sons Graham and Nevin who was a rising Ulster Rugby star.

"This tragic accident has devastated a family and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time.

"I understand that another family member Emma Spence, is currently in hospital following the accident and we all hope that she makes a full recovery."

Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety Edwin Poots has expressed his sympathy for the family of Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence following yesterday's tragic accident in Hillsborough.

He said: "I have known the Spence family for many years and it is difficult to comprehend the grief that they are suffering after such a terrible accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and their friends. I also want to wish Emma a full and speedy recovery. The loss of Noel, Graham and Nevin is being felt right across the community.

"I know that the firefighters, paramedics and medical staff who did everything in their power to save Noel, Graham and Nevin are devastated by what has unfolded. There is a sense of shock and disbelief across Northern Ireland today.

Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin has paid tribute to Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence and his father and brother who lost their lives in a farm accident in Hillsborough, and to Fermanagh County GAA player Brian ÓG Maguire, who died on Thursday following an accident.

The Minister said: "The loss of two talented sports players, and also a father and a brother, in such tragic circumstances is a tragedy for both the Spence and Maguire families. My sincere sympathy is extended to them at this extremely difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with them all, and also with Nevin's sister Emma who is currently in hospital.

"Nevin and Brian were committed sports players and their untimely deaths are not only a loss to their immediate families, but also to the sporting organisations they represented and to their wider communities. Ulster GAA and Ulster Rugby are two of the great provincial sporting codes which unite society. Brian Og and Nevin were wonderful examples for their respective sports.

"I offer my condolences to both the Ulster and Ballynahinch rugby teams on the tragic loss of Nevin, and to the Ulster, Fermanagh and Lisnaskea GAA community on the loss of Brian, both of whom will be sadly missed."