May 20, 2021 9:50 am
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has written to the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski to “explore options” to expand the Rural Environmental Agri Pilot (REAP).
The minister confirmed the news in the Dáil this morning (Thursday, May 20) in response to a parliamentary question from independent TD Denis Naughten.
Deputy Naughten asked the minister about the the sources and value of funding for REAP and if he will “review the number of participants in view of the level demand in participation under the scheme”.
In his answer, Minister McConalogue said: “It is pilot-based because we are currently in the transition phase between now and the new CAP kicking off in 2023. It does, between now and the end of next year, pay up to a maximum of €12,600 between now and in 20 months’ time on 10ha of land.
March 12, 2021 7:41 am
The Covid-19 pandemic has “presented a unique opportunity” to reinvent and reimagine rural communities, according to MEP Colm Markey.
The Midlands North West MEP was speaking in the European Parliament during a debate yesterday (Thursday, March 11) with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski on the long-term vision for rural areas.
Commenting afterwards, the Fine Gael MEP said: “Generations of skilled and talented people have left rural areas to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
The pandemic has taught us that many can remain in their own communities by taking advantage of remote or blended working. We can reverse the ‘brain drain’ and turn it into the ‘brain gain’.
December 15, 2020 12:26 pm
A number of EU agricultural and agri-food representative bodies have written to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski to highlight their concerns regarding the Annual Work Programme for 2021.
In an open letter which they sent to the commissioner earlier this month, on Monday (December 1), the groups included among their number: COPA-COGECA, the farmer and cooperative representative group; the European Dairy Association (EDA); and the Liaison Centre for the Meat Processing Industry in the EU (CLITRAVI).
Also represented were: the European Liaison Committee for Agricultural and Agri-food Trade; the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU; the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders; the European Potato Trade Association; the European Fresh Produce Association; and the International Flower Trade Association.