The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has said he is aware of the concerns in relation to the publication of farmers’ payment details under CAP.
Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister if he is aware of the concerns of those in the farming community regarding the online publishing of payments received by persons in relation to the possible targeting of these persons by criminal elements, especially as many are in rural locations and some are living alone.
In responce, Minister Coveney said in accordance with EU legislation the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is obliged to ensure annual ex-post publication of all of the beneficiaries of CAP funding – both legal and non-legal persons.
- The name of the beneficiary (unless the amount of payment under CAP funds is less than €1,250 in which case the individual will be identified by a code).
- The municipality where the beneficiary is resident.
- The amount of payment corresponding to each measure received by a beneficiary, and
- The nature and description of each measure.
The Minsiter said he is aware of farmers’ concerns about the publication of CAP beneficiary data.
However, he said the requirements imposed by an EU Regulation are directly applicable and binding in their entirety on a Member State.
The Department does not have any discretion in the matter.
The Minsiter said work on developing the CAP beneficiaries’ database is ongoing in the Department and it is intended that all appropriate information will be published in the required format by the May 31 deadline.