COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Ireland´s CAP strategic plan Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Recommendations to the Member States as regards their strategic plan for the Common Agricultural Policy
Date: 2020-12-18
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: EU strategy, Ireland, agricultural policy, climate change policy, common agricultural policy, cooperation on agriculture, digitisation, food security, innovation, rural development

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 18.12.2020  SWD(2020) 377 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Ireland´s CAP strategic plan Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS  Recommendations to the Member States as regards their strategic plan for the Common Agricultural Policy       {COM(2020) 846 final} - {SWD(2020) 367 final} - {SWD(2020) 368 final} - {SWD(2020) 369 final} - {SWD(2020) 370 final} - {SWD(2020) 371 final} - {SWD(2020) 372 final} - {SWD(2020) 373 final} - {SWD(2020) 374 final} - {SWD(2020) 375 final} - {SWD(2020) 376 final} - {SWD(2020) 379 final} - {SWD(2020) 384 final} - {SWD(2020) 385 final} - {SWD(2020) 386 final} - {SWD(2020) 387 final} - {SWD(2020) 388 final} - {SWD(2020) 389 final} - {SWD(2020) 390 final} - {SWD(2020) 391 final} - {SWD(2020) 392 final} - {SWD(2020) 393 final} - {SWD(2020) 394 final} - {SWD(2020) 395 final} - {SWD(2020) 396 final} - {SWD(2020) 397 final} - {SWD(2020) 398 final}  
 
 
1.  COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IRELAND´S CAP STRATEGIC 

PLAN .......................................................................................................................... 2 

Contents 

1.1  Foster a smart, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring food 

security .............................................................................................................. 2 

1.2  Bolster environmental care and climate action and contribute to the 

environment- and climate-related objectives of the Union ................................. 3 

1.3  Strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas and address societal 

concerns ............................................................................................................ 3 

1.4  Modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation and 

digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake ...................................................... 4 

1.5  Recommendations .............................................................................................. 5 

2.  ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN IRELAND ... 8 

2.1  Support viable farm income and resilience across the EU territory to enhance 

food security ...................................................................................................... 9 

2.2  Enhance market orientation and increase competitiveness including greater 

focus on research, technology and digitalisation .............................................. 10 

2.3 

Improve farmers' position in the value chain ................................................... 11 

2.4  Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as sustainable 

energy .............................................................................................................. 12 

2.5  Foster sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources 

such as water, soil and air ................................................................................ 14 

2.6  Contribute to the protection of biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and 

preserve habitats and landscapes .................................................................... 16 

2.7  Attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas ....... 18 

2.8  Promote employment, growth, social inclusion and local development in rural 

areas, including bio-economy and sustainable forestry .................................... 19 

2.9 

Improve the response of EU agriculture to societal demands on food and health, 
including safe, nutritious and sustainable food, as well as animal welfare. ...... 21 

2.10 Cross-cutting objective on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation ................. 22 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
1.  COMMISSION 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

FOR 

IRELAND´S 

CAP 

STRATEGIC PLAN 

In the framework of the structured dialogue for the preparation of the CAP strategic plan, 
this document contains the recommendations for the CAP strategic plan of Ireland. The 
recommendations are based on analysis of the state of play, the needs and the priorities 
for  agriculture  and  rural  areas  in  Ireland.  The  recommendations  address  the  specific 
economic, environmental and social objectives of the future common agricultural policy 
and in particular the ambition and specific targets of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the 
Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. As stated in the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission 
invites  Ireland,  in  its  CAP  Strategic  Plan,  to  set  explicit  national  values  for  the  Green 
Deal targets1, taking into account its specific situation and these recommendations. 

1.1  Foster  a  smart,  resilient  and  diversified  agricultural  sector  ensuring  food 

security 

Animal products dominate agricultural production in Ireland. In 2017 they accounted for 
around  three  quarters  of  total  output.  Of  this  output,  cattle  accounted  for  nearly  30 
percentage  points  and  milk  production  for  just  under  32.  Over  time,  there  has  been  an 
increase in livestock numbers. This has had an impact on the environmental footprint of 
Irish agriculture. Bearing in mind the increasing environmental challenges (described in 
the next section) Irish agriculture has to cope with, a closer link between income support 
and environmental performance should be considered. 

In  Ireland,  the  average  agricultural  entrepreneurial  income  is  about  39%  of  average 
income  in  the  whole  economy  (2005  to  2019).  The  gap  widened  during  the  economic 
crisis of 2008-2009. Since 2010 it has recovered, but remains lower than in the EU-271. 
Against the backdrop of a significant increase in the total value added of the food chain 
between 2012 and 2016, the share of Irish farmers in the value chain fell from close to 
20%  in  2008  to  just  around  18%  in  20162.  This  is  below  the  long-term  EU  average  of 
roughly 25%. 

There  is  a  lot  of  uncertainty  in  the  agricultural  sector.  The  vast  majority  of  Irish 
agricultural  products  are  exported,  with  40%  destined  for  the  UK  market.  Access  to 
finance  could  hamper  the  sustainable  development  of  the  sector.  This  means  there  is 
potential for new financial instruments. 

Agricultural  income  fluctuates  considerably.  This  is  because  of  general  domestic  and 
international  economic  developments,  but  also  because  agricultural  income  is  highly 
dependent  on  direct  payments  and  payments  for  areas  with  natural  constraints  (ANC), 
due  to  the  predominant  specialisation  in  livestock.  Ireland  should  therefore  continue 
improving the effectiveness of the direct payments and other income support measures, 
in  particular  to  better  target  farms  with  higher  income  support  needs  and  territorial 
differences  such  as  smaller  farms  and  farms  in  areas  with  natural  constraints.  The 
concentration  of  direct  payments  in  Ireland  is  relatively  high,  reflecting  the  remaining 
link  to  historical  references.  Ireland  is  encouraged  to  continue  its  efforts  to  pursue 
internal convergence. 

1   It  concerns  the  targets  related  to  use  and  risk  of  pesticides,  sale  of  antimicrobials,  nutrient  loss,  area 

under organic farming, high diversity landscape features and access to fast broadband internet. 

2 

 
 
 
                                                           
 
1.2  Bolster  environmental  care  and  climate  action  and  contribute  to  the 

environment- and climate-related objectives of the Union 

Ireland  has  various  advantages  from  the  point  of  view  of  achieving    the  future  CAP 
environment-  and  climate-related  specific  objectives.  These 
includethe  highest 
prevalence of grassland in the EU, very large areas of carbon-rich peat soils and a well-
established  network  of  biodiversity-rich  hedgerows.  However,  various  pressures  and 
problems are evident. Greenhouse gas emissions from farming are on the rise (including 
those  from  grassland  and  peatland).  Ireland  is  missing  its  targets  for  cutting  ammonia 
emissions  (on  the  contrary,  they  are  increasing).  Nutrient  discharges  into  water  are  a 
major  problem.  Many  habitats  and  species  are  also  suffering  –  as  outlined  in  the 
country’s Prioritised Action Framework drawn up pursuant to the Nature Directives. One 
of the main reasons for this is the substantial growth in livestock numbers, but there are 
other  reasons  too.  To  make  matters  worse,  the  uptake  of  organic  farming  is  very  low 
compared to what it is in the rest of the EU. 

Taking  steps  to  improve  nutrient  management  is  key  to  remedying  this  situation.  In 
addition to contributing to reaching the farm to fork strategy nutrient losses target, better 
nutrient management would help mitigate climate change while improving air and water 
quality and reducing pressure on biodiversity in some areas. It is also a matter of urgency 
to halt the serious deterioration of Ireland’s peatlands – large stores of carbon which are 
also important for biodiversity. Increasing coverage of trees – very low in Ireland – has 
substantial  potential  for  carbon  sequestration,  energy  production  and  the  support  of 
ecosystems, provided the species mix is improved compared with recent trends. Organic 
farming, which has low levels of uptake in Ireland and the subject of a target in the farm 
to fork strategy, should play a greater role in the agricultural sector. By taking the steps 
outlined above and other, additional steps, Ireland should improve the conservation status 
of its grassland and heathland habitats. To adapt to climate change, which manifests itself 
in  the  form  of  changing  weather  patterns,  the  country  should  tackle  the  matter  of  the 
availability of fodder. Finally, there is scope overall to increase the contribution made by 
Ireland’s  income  support  to  achieving  environment-  and  climate-related  objectives. 
Given the challenges the country faces, it is important that this happens. 

1.3  Strengthen  the  socio-economic  fabric  of  rural  areas  and  address  societal 

concerns 

The  transition  towards  a  more  sustainable  agricultural  sector  and  rural  areas,  requires 
Ireland to address one of the most important social challenges for European agriculture: 
generational  renewal.  The  proportion  of  total  farm  managers  accounted  for  by  young 
farmers  fell  from  10.7%  in  2005  (of  which  9.8%  men,  0.9%  women)  to  6.1%  in  2016 
(5.6% men, 0.5% women). Although above the  EU average, the decrease of the  young 
farmer population is very significant (over 40%) and the trend remains negative, despite 
theimplementation  of  a  multifaceted  set  of  EU  and  nationally  financed  measures. 
Improving  generational  succession  and  entrance  of  young  farmers  depends  on  more 
favorable  conditions  for  access  to  land  and  finance  –  the  main  challenges  for  young 
farmers. Ireland needs to continue addressing generational renewal. 

Ireland fares better than other Member States in its sales of antimicrobial agents, which 
are  low.  The  assessment  of  the  Irish  National  Action  Plan  on  the  sustainable  use  of 
pesticides  in  2019,  and  the  results  of  web-based  surveys,  demonstrate  that  the  official 
control  system  has  several  shortcomings  that  require  further  action  to  be  remedied  (3). 
More  generally,  Ireland  has  the  potential  to  reap  significant  benefits  from  encouraging 
integrated pest management. 

3 

 
 
Ireland  needs  to  make  progress  on  the  issue  of  tail  docking  of  pigs  as  this  remains  a 
routine  practice  with  no  significant  change  in  farm  conditions  recently.  Furthermore, 
actions  are  also  needed  to  improve  the  viability  of  male  calves  from  the  dairy  herd  in 
locally based production systems. 

Furthermore,  Ireland  should  also  make  an  effort  to  shift  towards  healthier,  more 
environmentally sustainable diets. 

Of  the  Irish  territory  89%  is  rural  (double  the  EU-27  average,  10%  consists  of 
intermediate regions  and 1% is  urban. In 2017, most people lived in  rural  areas (60%), 
followed by urban areas (28%) and intermediate areas (12%). The purchasing power in 
urban areas is double the EU average, whereas in rural areas it is around or below the EU 
average. The area covered by forests is smaller than the European average. The turn-over 
in  the  bio-economy  is  gradually  increasing.  To  further  develop  the  bio-economy, 
renewable energy and the development of new bio-based products would help. In Ireland, 
the agricultural, food and tourism sectors together provide 15% of employment. Over the 
last 10 years, this figure has remained stable, with tourism on the rise. Long distances to 
basic services may hamper future development in rural areas. 

Careful  consideration  must  be  given  to  the  specific  needs  of  women  in  agriculture  and 
rural  areas  in  order  to  deliver  on  gender  equality  and  close  the  gender  gaps  in 
employment, pay, pensions, care and decision-making. 

Ensuring  the  protection  of  agricultural  workers,  especially  precarious,  seasonal  and 
undeclared  ones,  will  play  a  major  role  in  ensuring  the  respect  of  rights  enshrined  in 
legislation that is an essential element of the fair EU food system envisaged in the farm 
to fork strategy. 

1.4  Modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation 

and digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake 

Modernisation  and  innovation  are  crucial  for  tackling  the  challenges  identified  in  the 
previous paragraphs, to develop a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector. A well-
functioning  agricultural  knowledge  and  innovation  system  (AKIS)  should  deliver 
knowledge  flows  between  its  actors  responding  to  the  growing  information  needs  of 
farmers,  for  speeding  up  innovation  and  better  valorisation  of  existing  knowledge  to 
achieve  the  CAP  objectives.  AKIS  does  not  only  cover  agriculture,  since  farming  and 
rural activities by nature relate to: the environment, climate, biodiversity, landscape, food 
and  non-food  systems  including  processing  and  distribution  chains,  consumers  and 
citizens, to name a few. 

Ireland has one of the strongest and most integrated AKIS in the EU, including effective 
training  programmes,  peer-to-peer  learning  programmes  and  well-run  advisory  services 
linked  to  research.  AKIS  seeks  to  bring  about  regular  and  structural  interplay  between 
information,  knowledge, advice, innovation,  training, education and research.  However, 
since the interaction with private advisors that receive training from the public advisory 
service  is  not  yet  up  to  speed,  a  stronger  back-office  serving  all  Irish  advisors  may 
improve the situation 

There is also a need to put innovation support services in place. Advisors need support to 
help  garner  individual  grassroots  innovative  ideas  and  develop  them  by  setting  up  and 
implementing  European  innovation  partnership  (EIP)  operational  group  innovation 

4 

 
 
projects.  Having  innovation  support  services  in  place  is  a  new  obligation  for  Member 
States (Article 13(4)).  

There  are  currently  23  Irish  operational  groups  up  and  running  under  the  EIP,focusing 
mainly  on  biodiversity,  nature  and  landscape  management.  Their  outcomes  could  feed 
into advisor-facilitated farmer-led discussion groups or into demonstration programmes. 
The  Irish EIP approach  has so far been very successful, combining bottom-up calls for 
expressions  of  interest  with  themed  calls  and  including  a  preparatory  step  for  the 
proposals.  Further  diversifying  EIP  calls  and  making  them  continuously  open  is 
advisable, as well as seeking participation in cross-border operational groups.  

Ireland has made significant progress over the last decade in rural broadband coverage. 
Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband is now available to 90% of rural households. 
However,  very high  capacity  network coverage  (21%) is  less than half the EU average 
(44%). In rural areas, it is substantially lower, only 7% compared to the EU average of 
20%. 

Ireland  ranks  highly  in  the  Digital  Economy  and  Society  Index  2020  and  Teagasc  has 
developed  a  range  of  digital  tools  to  support  its  countrywide  advisory  services. 
Continuing on this  path  would be good practice. The primary objective  of these digital 
tools is to support evidence-based decision making at farm level by combining data from 
different sources4.  

Ireland  has  not  yet  opted  to  use  satellite-based  ways  to  monitor  CAP  implementation. 
However,  it  is  involved  in  EU  projects  dealing  with  the  uptake  of  new  technologies  to 
modernise CAP administration, CAP controls and interactions with farmers. 

1.5  Recommendations 

To  address  the  above  interconnected  economic,  environmental/climate  and  social 
challenges - the Commission considers that the Irish CAP strategic plan needs to focus its 
priorities  and  concentrate  its  interventions  on  the  following  points,  while  adequately 
taking into account the specificities of Irish agriculture and rural areas: 

Foster a smart, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring food security 

  Support  farmers  in  capturing  higher  share  in  the  value  chain  by  assisting 
innovation  and diversification of products  and markets  (ranging from exports  to 
local and agro-tourism), investments in quality aspects (including environmental 
labelling, EU and other quality schemes, organic farming) and by encouraging the 
recognition of Producer Organisations as well as the formation of new ones where 
relevant. 

  Support  the  ability  of  Irish  farmers  to  invest  in  sustainable  practices,  by 
improving  access  to  finance,  including  through  supporting  new  or  improved 
financial instruments. 

  Improve the viability of farms, specially medium-sized farms and farms in areas 
facing natural constraints by increasing the fairness and the efficiency of income 
support, in particular via internal convergence and by applying, for example, the 
complementary redistributive income support for sustainability and the reduction 
of payments. 

5 

 
 
Bolster  environmental  care  and  climate  action  and  to  contribute  to  the  environmental- 
and climate-related objectives of the Union 

  Encourage  a  general  move  towards  more  sustainable  farming  practices  by 
improving the environmental and climate-related performance of income support 
–  through  appropriate  requirements  and  schemes,  including  support  for  carbon 
farming. 

  Ensure a widespread improvement in nutrient management, thereby helping to 
achieve  the  Green  Deal  target  on  reducing  nutrient  losses  (as  well  as  other 
targets  and  objectives,  as  indicated  in  section  1.2  above)  –  through  optimised 
fertilisation (and potentially limited fertilisation in some cases), improved manure 
management  and  a  wider  transition  to  precision  farming.  Appropriate  design  of 
elements of conditionality will be essential in achieving these shifts (especially to 
ensure action in hotspots), and funded support schemes may also be needed.  

  Encourage  improvements  to  the  efficiency  of  enteric  fermentation  in  farmed 
livestock in line with the Methane Strategy, including through support for advice, 
innovation and management practices, as appropriate. 

  Halt  the  deterioration  of  Irish  peatlands  and  encourage  their  restoration  – 
including  through  appropriate  design  of  elements  of  conditionality,  and 
potentially  through  funded  schemes  for  carbon  farming  and  more  extensive 
grazing. 

  Step up efforts to encourage tree-planting in various configurations – including 
agro-forestry systems – and with species mixes which are appropriate in terms of 
biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, carbon sink capacity and resistance to 
pests and diseases. Support may be necessary not only for afforestation but also 
for advice on species selection and on effectively integrating woodland into farm 
management. 

  Make  significant  efforts  to  increase  the  area  farmed  organically  -  thereby 
helping to achieve the Green Deal target on organic farming (as well as other 
targets  and  objectives).  Support  for  conversion  to  and  maintenance  of  organic 
farming may be appropriate, but steps to develop the market (whether supported 
through the CAP or not) may also be needed. 

  Improve  the  conservation  status  of  grasslands  and  heathlands.  Beyond 
relevant  contributing elements included in  some of the recommendations above, 
Ireland  should  take  steps  to  maintain  extensive  grazing,  extend  the  area  of 
species-rich  grasslands,  adapt  mowing  practices  to  habitat  needs  and  prevent 
harmful  burning  of  vegetation  –  through  appropriate  design  of  the  relevant 
elements of conditionality, and where necessary through funded schemes. 

  Improve  the  resilience  of  the  farming  sector  to  climate  risks  such  as  water 
stress  on  grassland  and  fodder  crops  -  for  example,  by  supporting  partnerships 
between livestock and arable farms and the creation of fodder reserves.   

6 

 
 
 
 
Strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas and address societal demands 

  Improve  animal  health  and  welfare  in  line  with  consumer  expectations,  by 
putting in place more ambitious measures to support farmers to improve livestock 
management practices, especially for pigs and male dairy calves. 

  Contribute  to  the  Green  Deal  target  on  reducing  the  use  and  risk  of 
pesticides  via  schemes  fostering  a  switch  to  sustainable  farming  practices 
(including integrated pest management). 

  Continue  improving  access  to  land  and  finance  for  young  farmers  and  new 
entrants, including by targeting inheritance constrains and supporting cooperation 
between farmer generations. 

  Increase social inclusion in rural communities by supporting improvements in 
basic  services  and  their  accessibility.  In  doing  so  it  will  be  important  to  ensure 
synergies with other EU and national funds. 

  Develop  the  bio  economy  by  supporting  renewable  energy  production  from 
agriculture and forestry as well as supporting diversification into other non-food 
areas. 

Fostering  and  sharing  of  knowledge,  innovation  and  digitalisation  in  agriculture  and 
rural areas, and encouraging their uptake 

  Support  further  integration  of  the  Agricultural  Knowledge  and  Innovation 
System,  strengthening  links  between  research,  advisors,  education,  the  farming 
community and interactive innovation projects, in particular organise innovation 
support  services,  support  peer-to-peer  learning  and    dissemination  to  all  Irish 
advisors. 

7 

 
 
 
 
2.  ANALYSIS  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  RURAL  DEVELOPMENT  IN 

IRELAND 

The agricultural sector plays an important role in Ireland’s economy, contributing 6.7% 
of GNI in 2018. The sector employs approximately 164 400 people, representing 7.1% of 
total  employment.  Outside  Dublin  and  the  mid-east  region  the  agricultural  sector 
provides between 10% and 14% of total employment highlighting the importance of the 
sector to the economy especially in rural and coastal areas5.  

In  2017,  most  people  in  Ireland  lived  in  rural  areas  (60%),  followed  by  urban  areas 
(28%)  and intermediate  areas (12%). This  is  in  contrast  to  the population divide at  EU 
level,  as almost  half the EU population  lives  in  urban areas (44.7%)  and only one-fifth 
lives in rural areas. Ireland also has a unique characteristics regarding population density; 
with  urban  areas  3  times  denser  populated  than  the  EU  average  and  rural  areas  more 
sparsely populated. In Ireland 2 out of 5 residents are registered in the Dublin area. This 
population  divide  is  also  reflected  regionally,  with  higher  densities  in  the  southern  and 
south-eastern  counties,  while  central  and  northern  counties  exhibiting  lower  population 
densities.  The  purchasing  power  in  the  urban  areas  is  double  the  EU  overall  average, 
whereas in rural areas it is around or below the EU average. 

The  agri-food  sector  is  export-orientated  accounting  for  9.5%  of  Irish  merchandising 
exports  in  2019.  Agri-food  sector  exports  have  grown  by  63%  since  2010  to 
approximately  EUR  14.5  billion,  in  2019.  The  volume  of  agri-food  products  exported 
continued  to  grow  for  the  tenth  year  in  a  row,  up  6%  on  2018.  Payments  to  farmers 
totalled  EUR  1.8  billion  including  Basic  Payment  Scheme,  Rural  Development  and 
Forestry Payments. Over 52% of farm households had an off-farm income employment 
source in 20186. 

Ireland  has  many  natural  advantages  when  it  comes  to  food  production.  Weather 
conditions  are  ideal  for  rearing  livestock  and  growing  numerous  crop  types.  The  Irish 
climate  also  supports  a  long,  grass-growing  season,  80%  of  the  agricultural  land  is 
covered  in  grass.  This  grass-based  system  is  more  efficient  and  environmentally 
sustainable than intensive indoor animal feeding systems. (European Commission, 2019). 
Agriculture accounted for more than a third of all GHG emissions in Ireland in 2018 (this 
can  be  partly  explained  by  Ireland’s  lack  of  heavy  industry);  making  it  the  largest 
contributor to GHG emissions nationally. This is compared to an EU-28 average of 9.8%. 
Agriculture  accounts  for  virtually  all  (99.1%)  of  ammonia  emissions  in  Ireland.  The 
expanding dairy herd is a major contributor to increasing emissions. The total number of 
dairy  cows  has  increased  by  just  over  40%  since  2010,  largely  in  response  to  the 
economic opportunity arising from the abolition of milk quotas. Agriculture is the most 
common pressure effecting habitats, with more than 70% of habitats being impacted by 
pressures relating to agricultural practices. 

The area of forest is estimated to be 11% of the total land area of Ireland. This compares 
to  a  European  (EU-27)  average  of  40%7.  Forest  cover  is  estimated  to  be  at  its  highest 
level  in  over  350  years.  Of  the  total  forest  area,  391  358  ha  or  50.8%  is  in  public 
ownership. Forest protection schemes are marginal in Ireland, having the lowest share of 
forest under protection (below 3%) in the EU. The Irish protected forest is still managed 
via  "conservation  through  active  management",  meaning  there  is  no  forest  in  Ireland 
where no human interference occurs. In order to maintain the climate change benefits of 
Irish  forests  the  current  national  afforestation  programme  needs  to  be  continued,  with 
increased  levels  of  afforestation  over  the  next  two  decades8  with  consideration  of  the 
adaptation  needs.  The  share  of  total  farm  managers  accounted  for  by  young  farmers  in 
8 

 
 
Ireland  fell  from  10.7%  in  2005  (of  which  9.8%  men,  0.9%  women)  to  6.1%  in  2016 
(5.6% men, 0.5% women)9. 

2.1  Support  viable  farm  income  and  resilience  across  the  EU  territory  to 

enhance food security 

In Ireland, the average agricultural income is about 39% of income in the whole economy 
(2005 to 2019). The gap widened during the economic crisis of 2008-2009 but recovered 
since 2010. It remains slightly lower than in the EU-2710. 

The average agricultural factor income  fluctuates from  year to  year (it dipped in  2008-
2009,  peaked  in  2017  and  stays  more  stable  since).  Direct  payments  form  as  much  as 
49%  of  the  agricultural  factor  income  and  payments  under  rural  development  are  also 
considerable  -  around  16%  (2018)11.  The  relatively  high  share  of  direct  payments  and 
rural development support in the income can be related to the specialisation in livestock 
sector. In the period 2015-2018, 20% of the beneficiaries farmed about 49% of the land 
and  received  56%  of  direct  payments.  The  direct  payments  are  significantly  more 
concentrated  than  the  land,  which  reflects  the  remaining  link  to  historical  references  in 
the value of basic payment entitlements12.  

The  factor  income  increases  with  physical  farm  size13  up  to  the  biggest  class  where  it 
decreases  (except  2018),  while  the  direct  payment  per  hectare  does  not  change 
significantly  between  farm  physical  size.  As  regards  the  economic  class,  the  income 
constantly  grows  with  bigger  economic  size,  while  the  direct  payment  per  hectare 
increases, except for the class of EUR 100 000 to EUR 200 000. Concerning sectors, the 
income shows higher values for cereals oilseeds and protein crop farms and dairy farms. 
These two sectors still receive a relatively high direct payment per hectare. On the other 
side, cattle  and sheep farms have the lowest  income and the lowest  direct  payment per 
hectare  while  their  factor  income  would  on  average  be  negative  without  support.    The 
income  is  considerably  lower  in  areas  facing  natural  constraints  (ANC)  by  about  40%, 
while  the  total  direct  payment  and  ANC  payment  per  hectare  is  only  slightly  higher  in 
ANC  areas.  This  income  difference  is  even  more  significant  as  those  areas  represent 
77.5% of the agricultural area14. 

In  Ireland,  the  veterinary  risks  have  been  addressed  with  compulsory  private-publicly 
funded  mutual  funds.  Although  the  level  of  price  risk  is  considered  high  (i.e.  in  some 
sectors  like  dairy),  there  is  no  specific  risk  management  tool  for  this.  Nevertheless, 
private initiatives exist such as flexible loan arrangements taking into account the price 
volatility  as  well  as  fixed  price  contracts.    Risk  management  tools  under  rural 
development programmes have not been developed due to a lack of interest and uptake 
within  the  farm  community,  on  one  side,  and  lack  of  sufficiently  available  funding,  on 
the other side15. 

9 

 
 
 
 
Source: DG AGRI based on EUROSTAT16 

2.2  Enhance market orientation and increase competitiveness including greater 

focus on research, technology and digitalisation 

Employment  in  the  Irish  agri-food  sector  accounts  for  approximately  173  000  jobs,  or 
7.7% of total employment17. The total number of farms in Ireland decreased slightly from 
nearly  139  900  in  2010  to  nearly  137  600  in  2016.  Over  the  same  period,  the  average 
farm size was roughly stable, fluctuating around 32 hectares18. Despite recording growth 
in the total organic area of over 100% between 2012 and 2018, Ireland still has a small 
share (below 3%) of agricultural land under organic management compared to the EU-27 
average  of  8%  (Eurostat,  2020).  Ireland  has  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  integrated 
Agricultural  Knowledge  and  Innovation  Systems  (AKIS)  in  EU  including  effective 
training programmes with well-functioning advisory services linked to research19. 

Agricultural  production  in  Ireland  is  dominated  by  animal  products.  In  2017  these 
accounted  for  just  under  78%  of  total  output  (of  which  cattle  accounted  for  nearly  30 
percentage points and milk production for just under 32) in comparison to the EU-28 as a 
whole, where animal output accounts for just under 40% of total output20. The beef sector 
accounts for the largest percentage of farms at 58% (comprised of cattle other at 30% and 
cattle rearing at 28%). The percentage of farms in the remaining subsectors are dairy at 
17%, sheep at 15%, tillage at 7% and mixed livestock at 1%21.  

Uncertainty  in  the  agriculture  sector  in  Ireland  is  high.  There  is  a  potential  for  new 
financial instruments, with an investment gap estimated to be between EUR 822 million 
and  EUR  1  billion.  Around  68%  of  the  gap  value  relates  to  medium-sized  farms, 
increased efficiency and sustainability could be key for the overall competitiveness of the 
sector22.  The  vast  majority  of  Irish  agricultural  products  are  exported,  accounting  for 
9.5% of total merchandising exports, and 11.2% of imports in 201923. With 40% of agri-
food exports destined for the UK market, any form of increased trade frictions between 
Ireland and the UK will have a negative effect on the sector24. 90% of Irish beef and milk 
(milk equivalent) output is exported. In the case of beef, 55% of this is sold to the UK. 
For dairy products, the reliance on the UK market is lower with around 22% of the value 
of exports going to that market25. 

10 

 
 
Since beef farming is economically less viable and more exposed to developments on the 
UK market compared to the diary sector, the areas of the country more dependent on beef 
farming, such as the West, are more at risk of being adversely affected than regions with 
a  larger  concentration  of  profitable  dairy  farms.  The  average  income  on  cattle  rearing 
farms  in  2018  was  just  one-eighth  of  the  income  on  dairy  farms26.  The  sector  is  also 
vulnerable  to  the  effects  of  low  beef  price.  High  labour  and  land  rent  costs  in  Ireland 
underlie the high total economic costs of beef production relative to EU and international 
competitors27.  The  productivity  of  Irish  farms  was  pushed  downwards  by  the  financial 
crisis  of  2007-2008  but  started  to  recover  from  around  2012.  Productivity  of  labour, 
capital and land were all above the 2005 level in 201728. 

Source: EUROSTAT and FADN29  

2.3  Improve farmers' position in the value chain 

The last ten years have seen a significant increase of the output of the Irish agricultural 
“industry”:  +34%  when  comparing  the  3-years-average  periods  of  2017/19  to  2010/12. 
The  total  intermediate  consumption  has  increased  at  a  lower  rate  on  the  same  period 
(+20%)  which  enabled  an  increase  of  the  Irish  agriculture  gross  value  added  at  basic 
prices about EUR 1.2 billion (+73% from 2010/12 to 2017/19)30. In this context, the Irish 
farmers' share in the value chain declined from close to 20% in 2008 to just around 18% 
in  201631.  This  is  below  the  long-term  EU  average  of  roughly  25%.  Ireland's  food  and 
drink  manufacturers  account  for  the  largest  share  and  this  share  has  been  growing 
between  2008  and  2015.  The  agriculture  in  Ireland  is  specialised  in  dairy  (31.9%)  and 
cattle (29.5%); when including forage plants (12.3%), those three sectors represent close 
to  75%  of  the  Irish  agricultural  output  in  value  at  basic  prices  in  2017.  The  other 
livestock  sectors  represent  about  12.5%  of  the  agricultural  output  value:  pigs  (6.3%), 
sheep  &  goat  (3.4%),  poultry  (2%).  Additionally  to  the  forage  plants,  10%  of  the  Irish 
agricultural  output  is  related  to  the  plant  sector:  cereals  (4%)  and  potatoes  (1.6%), 
vegetables & horticulture (3.6%) and fruits (0.7%).Ireland has some national legislation 
specifically  addressing  unfair  trade  practices  (UTPs)  in  the  food  chain,  which  is  only 
applicable  towards  retailers.  Ireland  has  only  four  recognised  producer  organisations 
(POs)32: two in the fruit and vegetable sector and two in the beef sector33. The share of 
fruit  and  vegetables  production  marketed  by  the  POs  is  about  71%34.  Cooperatives  are 
particularly strong in  Ireland but  are usually not  recognised as POs. More than 95% of 
the  cow  milk  deliveries  was  managed  by  processing,  and  to  a  lower  extend  collecting, 
cooperatives in 201635. There are no recognised Interbranch organisations (IBOs)36. The 
export market is of main importance in the Irish context. Bord Bia/Irish Food Board is a 
state body with the functions to promote, assist and develop the marketing of Irish food 

11 

 
 
and  livestock  and  the  production,  marketing  and  consumption  of  horticultural  product. 
There are five Subsidiary Boards (Meat and Livestock, Consumer Foods, Dairy, Quality 
Assurance and Horticulture). 

Ireland  already  has  in  place  a  number  of  Sustainable  Quality  Assurance  schemes  for  a 
variety  of  agricultural  products  and  is  working  on  further  developments.  The  Bord  Bia 
Quality  Mark  sets  standards  and  promotes  also  the  Ireland  origin;  it  concerns  a  wide 
range  of  foods  including  bacon,  beef,  chicken,  duck,  lamb,  pork,  turkey,  pre-packaged 
meals containing meat; fruit, vegetables and eggs. Different grass fed labels on dairy and 
beef  are  developed  especially  in  Ireland  with  notably  the  Verified  Grass  Standards). 
Regarding  the  EU  quality  labels,  there  are  11  protected  quality  signs  (PDO,  PGI)  in 
Ireland, among which 8 are registered for agricultural products and foodstuff other than 
spirit  drinks.  The  use  of  EU  quality  labels  scheme  seems  underexploited  and  could  be 
further considered in view of improving the position of farmers in the value chain37. 

Primary producers 

Source: EUROSTAT38  

2.4  Contribute  to  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation,  as  well  as 

sustainable energy 

Ireland presents  a very particular profile with  regard to  specific objective 4, having the 
highest  level  of  permanent  grassland  in  the  EU:  at  91%  [in  2015  –  N.B.  SWOT  figure, 
compare with ours] this is almost three times the EU average of 31%. Furthermore, the 
country  is  home  to  very  extensive  peatlands,  which  cover  more  than  20%  of  total  land 
surface area39. This means that Irish soil is a huge store of carbon. And yet the  country 
faces very serious challenges in respect of climate change – and these are strongly linked 
to agriculture. 

The stark fact is that Ireland’s  total net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farming 
(including non-CO2 and CO2 emissions) have been rising in absolute terms since 2011, 
reaching 26.2 million tonnes CO2 equivalent in 201840. The very high proportion of total 
national  GHG  emissions  made  up  by  agriculture  (35.3%  in  2018)41  can  be  partly 
explained by  Ireland’s lack of heavy industry. Nevertheless, it is  clear that the ongoing 
expansion of the cattle herd, especially dairy cattle (see specific objective 5) is pushing 
emissions  higher,  as  are  to  some  extent  increases  in  the  use  of  synthetic  fertiliser  (see 
specific  objective  5).  Enteric  fermentation  accounted  for  58%  of  agricultural  non-CO2 
GHG emissions  in  2018, manure management for 10%  and  agricultural  soil for 30%42. 
Non-CO2  emissions from  farming climbed in  total in  the period 2013-2018 (by 8%) as 

12 

 
 
well as individually in all three of the categories mentioned above (by 9.6% for enteric 
fermentation,  by  7.5%  for  manure  management  and  by  6.2%  for  soil  management)43. 
Notable  in  connection  with  emissions  from  manure  management  is  the  expansion  of 
areas awarded a derogation under the Nitrates Directive (see specific objective 5). 

Pressures from growing livestock numbers are added to by long-established habits in the 
management  of  Ireland’s  peatlands.  These  have  been  drained  on  a  large  scale  over  the 
years – for the purposes of peat extraction, farming and afforestation - to the point where 
80% are degraded. Although trees are no longer permitted to be planted on peatlands, in 
2017  active  drainage  and  peat  extraction  was  still  taking  place  on  56  000  ha.  It  is 
estimated that drained peat soils release around 20 tonnes CO2 per hectare per year44. 

One type of carbon sink which is only thinly present in Ireland is  forest and woodland. 
Dominated  by  grass,  Ireland  has  a  forest  cover  of  only  11%  (compared  with  an  EU 
average of 40%); only Malta and the Netherlands have proportionally lower coverage45. 
Ireland aims to lift the figure to 18% by 2046, but under a current forestry plan, planting 
rates have been well behind the 8 000 ha per year needed to achieve this (recent figures 
have been around 5 500 ha per  year or less). Moreover,  Ireland’s  grasslands have high 
carbon emissions, and as a result there are positive net emissions from land use, land use 
change and forestry (LULUCF).  

Among the factors reported as discouraging farmers from increasing woodland coverage 
on  their  land  are  an  over-reliance  on  certain  species  –  now  being  addressed  to  some 
extent (see specific objective 6) – but also wider traditional attitudes46 .  

A  low  level  of  tree  cover  forms  part  of  the  picture  of  modest  production  of  renewable 
energy  in  Ireland  from  agriculture  and  forestry:  2.6%  of  the  country’s  total  renewable 
energy production came from farming in 2018 (EU: 12%) and 19% from forestry (EU: 
41%)47. Of course different countries will favour different sources of renewable energy to 
some extent, but in any case the biogas and biomethane sector in Ireland is seen as being 
still at an early stage of development48, while Ireland’s forests are not expected to keep 
pace for much longer with the combined needs of the national wood panelling and wood-
based  energy  sectors49.  On  the  other  hand,  Ireland’s  use  of  energy  in  agriculture  and 
forestry (42 kg oil equivalent per hectare in 2018) is modest by EU standards50. 

Finally,  Irish  agriculture  is  seen  as  vulnerable  to  climate  change  because  of  farmers’ 
growing  specialisation.  A  majority  of  farmers  are  unconvinced  by  possible  benefits  of 
diversifying  on  the  farm  for  the  time  being,  research  suggests51.  And  in  general  terms, 
higher rainfall in the autumn and winter brought about by climate change is likely to lead 
to  additional  nutrient  leaching,  soil  erosion  and  pollution  from  agricultural  land  into 
freshwater systems. Not only the higher rainfall but also hotter and drier weather in the 
summer are expected to threaten yields and thus the availability of fodder.  

In response to these various issues, Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan sets out 
various pathways for action –  including in relation to: farming practice in general, and 
soil  management  specifically;  diversification  within  agriculture;  and  expansion  of 
forestry planting52. 

13 

 
 
Source: European Environmental Agency53 

2.5  Foster  sustainable  development  and  efficient  management  of  natural 

resources such as water, soil and air 

The  situation  in  Ireland  with  regard  to  specific  objective  5  shows  points  of  concern  in 
relation to each of the three natural resources in question. 

Two essential background influences stand out. First, livestock numbers have been rising 
substantially. 33% of bovine livestock are owned by 10% of farmers occupying 14% of 
agricultural area. This means the involvement of industry in finding solutions is essential 
as  these  farmers  are  less  dependent  on  CAP  for  income  support.  A  pilot  project  the 
Agricultural  Sustainability Support  and Advisory Programme provides 30 free  advisors 
to farmers through a combination of State and dairy industry funding. This State/industry 
approach should be encouraged to use all possible levers to cause on farm change. The 
cattle  herd  numbered  6.6  million  head  in  2019,  compared  with  5.9  million  in  2010 
(+11%),  and  there  had  also  been  increases  in  numbers  of  sheep  (+22%)  and  pigs 
(+7.3%)54. Second, there has been a growing use of synthetic fertilisers: sales increased 
by  10%  year-on-year  in  2018,  as  they  had  done  in  2017,  however  there  was  a  10% 
decrease  in  201955.    All  recent  Teagasc  published  roadmaps  are  aiming  to  reduce 
fertiliser  use  by  2030.56  Ireland  is  one  of  a  small  number  of  Member  States  to  have 
legally  binding  limits  for  nitrogen  and  phosphorus  through  its  Nitrates  Action 
Programme (SI 605/2017). 21% of Irish soils are at agronomic optimum for phosphorus, 
potassium  and  lime  and  this  is  an  area  that  offers  considerable  potential  for  gains  in 
fertiliser use efficiency. 

Against this backdrop, Ireland’s ammonia emissions from agriculture pose a significant 
problem. These make up 99% of the country’s total ammonia emissions57 – the highest 
proportion in the EU – and have been climbing since 2011, reaching 117 000 tonnes in 
201758.  Emissions  exceeded  legal  limits  under  the  NEC  Directive  in  2016  for  the  first 
time. For both 2020-29 and for 2030 and beyond, Ireland has been found to be at high-
risk  of  non-compliance  with  the  emission  reduction  commitment  for  ammonia59.  The 
period  2014-2016  also  saw  increases  in  emissions  of  nitrous  oxides  (+3.6%)  and  non-
methane  volatile  compounds  (+2%).  Almost  36%  of  the  total  reported  emissions  of 

14 

 
 
nitrogen  oxides,  almost  40%  of  the  total  reported  emissions  of  non-methane  volatile 
organic compounds and 8% of the total fine particulate matter emissions in Ireland come 
from agricultural sources60. 

The  quality  of  Ireland’s  rivers  is  falling:  there  was  a  net  decline  in  status  in  128  river 
water bodies (5.5%) between the periods 2010-2015 and 2013-2018, and an overall rise 
in  the  percentage  of  surface  water  bodies  reporting  poor  status  (to  18%  in  2013-2018 
from 15% in 2007-2009). As Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency reports: “Water 
quality  is  getting  worse  after  a  period  of  relative  stability  and  improvement”.  On  the 
other hand, in 2013-2018 92% of groundwater bodies (accounting for 98% of the country 
by  area)  were  in  good  chemical  and  quantitative  status  –  though  since  2013  there  has 
been a 6.5% increase in  the percentage of groundwater sites  with average nitrate levels 
above 25 mg/litre61. 

The  main  problem  lies  in  nutrient  pollution,  with  a  third  of  rivers  and  a  quarter  of 
estuaries  failing  to  meet  nutrient-based  environmental  quality  standards62.  When 
examined for the country as a whole, Ireland’s use of nutrients presents a mixed picture. 
Ireland’s potential nitrogen surplus on farmland stood at 41 kg/ha/year in 2017 – lower 
than  the  EU  average  (47  kg)  though  on  an  upward  trend  since  2011  (after  a  decline  in 
1995-2011)63. The country’s potential phosphorus surplus was 20.0 kg/ha/year in 2015 – 
significantly  above  the  EU  average  of  1.0  kg  (and  rising  since  2008),  though  this  may 
reflect  efforts  at  rectifying  past  depletion.  But  whatever  the  overall  picture,  nutrient 
discharges  to  water  are  reported  to  have  been  increasing  since  2013  because  of  higher 
cattle  numbers  and  increased  fertiliser  use  –  and  indeed,  the  area  benefiting  from  a 
derogation from the Nitrates Directive (with regard to the limit of 170 kg of nitrogen per 
hectare  per  year  from  manure)  increased  by  34%  between  2014  and  201864.  The  2018  
derogation  report  confirms  that,  since  2013,  water  quality  is  decreasing  in  areas  with 
increased  agricultural  pressure,  in  particular  in  the  south  and  south-east  of  Ireland. 
Nitrogen  emissions  are  a  particular  concern  in  the  south  and  south-east,  whereas 
phosphorus concentrations are too high in various parts of Ireland65.  

Pressures  in  terms  of  water  quality  contrast  with  the  situation  in  terms  of  water 
availability: Ireland is amply blessed with rain and is therefore not a significant irrigator. 
Values of the Water Exploitation Index+ in Ireland have typically been between 2%  and 
2.5% since the year 200066. However the large volumes of rain and regularity of storms 
have been shown by Teagasc research to overwhelm mitigation measures that have been 
put in place to protect and enhance water quality. 

Ireland’s soil shows generally positive characteristics  – especially its mean soil organic 
carbon content: 127 g/kg in soil under all land cover types (versus 47 g/kg in the EU)67 
and 82 g/kg on arable land (the highest in the Union)68. Nor is there significant pressure 
from  erosion  by  water  (the  recent  average  rate  has  been  0.96  t  ha-1  yr-1,  versus  an  EU 
average of 2.5 t ha-1 yr-1)69, or from soil sealing (which was just over 1% in 2015)70, 

On  the  other  hand,  more  specifically,  Ireland’s  peatlands  are  under  threat  (see  specific 
objective 4).  

89% of Ireland’s tillable UAA is conventionally tilled71.  

15 

 
 
Note  that  the  impact  of  activities  to  improve  nutrient  management,  preserve  peatlands 
and  manage  soil  in  Ireland  could  be  increased  by  linking  them  to  research,  innovation 
and demonstration activities available under the forthcoming Horizon Europe Mission on 
Soil Health and Food. 

Source: EUROSTAT72  

2.6  Contribute  to  the  protection  of  biodiversity,  enhance  ecosystem  services 

and preserve habitats and landscapes 

Ireland  benefits  from  potential  advantages  with  regard  to  specific  objective  6  –  for 
example, the highest share of farmland given to permanent grassland in the EU, a large 
presence  of  peatland  (see  specific  objective  4)  and  a  well-established  network  of 
hedgerows, which support rich biodiversity. Nevertheless, there are causes for concern. 

On  the  one  hand,  the  Farmland  Bird  Index  stood  at  107  in  2016  (compared  with  the 
reference value of 100 in the year 2000)73. On the other hand, other, related figures paint 
a  less  positive  figure.  For  example,  according  to  the  Countryside  Bird  Survey,  bird 
populations  fell by 8%  between 2005 and 2014  in  the case of farmland  species  and by 
8.7% in the case of shrubland/peatland species (though just 0.2% in the case of woodland 
species)74.  

Grassland  habitats  of  EU  interest,  affected  by  agriculture  and  reported  on  under  the 
Habitats  Directive,  have  not  improved  in  status  for  the  most  recent  reporting  period 
(2013-2018):  none  (of  the  six)  has  favourable  conservation  status,  17%  have 
“unfavourable  –  inadequate”  status  and  for  the  remaining  83%  the  designation  is 
“unfavourable – bad”(For comparison: in the EU as a whole, 43% of grassland habitats 
have  this  last  designation)75.  At  the  same  time,  all  three  heathland  habitats  have 
“unfavourable  –  bad”  status  (which  is  especially  significant  as  20%  of  the  EU’s  wet 
heaths are located in Ireland). For both habitat types there have been related declines in 
bird  populations  species76  –  for  example,  the  breeding  population  of  the  lapwing 
Vanellus  vanellus  has  undergone  a  long-term  decline  of  56%.  Furthermore,  grassland 
butterfly species are significantly under threat77. 

It should be understood that just 3.6% of Ireland’s agricultural area lies in Natura 2000 
zones, compared with 11% in the case of the EU78 (Only 4% of permanent grassland in 
Natura  2000  zones  is  classified  as  “sensitive”)79.  But  in  any  case,  similar  problems 
16 

 
 
related to farmland habitats are observed more generally, even though monitoring of flora 
and  fauna  outside  Natura  2000  zones  needs  improvement.  As  in  many  countries,  in 
Ireland  there  has  been  a  long-term  decline  in  populations  of  pollinators:  30%  of  bee 
species are now considered threatened with extinction in Ireland80. 

Key pressures on grasslands and heathlands include land use intensification – or, in some 
areas, abandonment – as well as inappropriate mowing practices and harmful burning of 
vegetation.  Peatlands  are  under  threat  (see  specific  objective  4),  which  is  a  negative 
influence for biodiversity81.  

At the same time, Ireland’s native woodlands are in some respects in a poor state: small 
and fragmented, they lack full ecological functionality. Forest-planting takes place but is 
reportedly too dependent on a single species; native woodland accounts for just 27% of 
the  country’s  total  wooded  area82.  However,  the  establishment  of  native  woodlands  are 
supported through national scheme. 18% of Ireland’s forest area is in Natura 2000 zones 
(compared with 30% in the EU as a whole)83. 

Around  0.9%  of  Ireland’s  UAA  is  taken  up  by  “linear  landscape  features”  such  as 
hedgerows  (2018  estimate).  This  is  somewhat  higher  than  the  EU  average  of  0.6%, 
whereas Ireland has less fallow land (0.1% of UAA, compared with 4.1% in the EU)84.  

Finally, uptake of organic farming is low in Ireland, covering 2.6% of UAA in 201885 – 
almost  completely  made  up  of  permanent  grassland86.  In  proportional  terms  this  figure 
marked an increase from 10 years earlier (the total was 0.9% of UAA in 2008), much of 
this growth having occurred in the last year recorded. 

Source: EUROSTAT87  

17 

 
 
 
 
Share of agricultural area covered by  
high-diversity landscape features  

20

15

10

5

0

E
B

G
B

Z
C

K
D

7
2
U
E

E
I

E
E

S
E
Y
E
D
C
fallow land as % of agricultural area

R
H

R
F

L
E

T
I

V
L

T
L

U
L

U
H

T
M

L
N

T
A

L
P

T
P

I

O S
R

I

K F
S

E
S

landscape elements as % of agricultural area*

Source: EUROSTAT and JRC88 
* Linear elements considered here: Grass margins, shrub margins, single trees bushes, lines of trees, hedges 
and ditches. This estimation is to be taken with caution because of methodological caveats. 

2.7  Attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas 

In  Ireland,  the  share  of  total  farm  managers  accounted  for  by  young  farmers  fell  from 
10.7%  in  2005  (of  which  9.8%  men,  0.9%  women)  to  6.1%  in  2016  (5.6%  men,  0.5% 
women)89. Although the share of young farmers is above the EU average, the decrease of 
the young farmer population is very significant (over 40%) and the trend is still negative 
(except for the group of less than 25 years old where a positive trend can be observed). 
The percentage of female young farmers is extremely low. The economic trend in terms 
of  standard  output  per  farm  is,  however,  positive  since  2007  where  the  young  farmers 
have higher standard output then the older age categories. The age tranche of the farmers 
younger than 25 years also shows a positive development in terms of increasing average 
hectares per farm and number of farms with animals. Moreover, 44% of young farmers 
have  full  agricultural  training  and  a  further  20%  have  basic  training.  Thus,  the  rate  is 
twice the EU-28 average (2016)90. 

The  main  challenges  that  the  young  farmers  face  are  the  access  to  land  and  access  to 
finance.  There  is  a  strong  link  between  both  as  one  of  the  main  driver  for  access  to 
finance  is  the  need  for  land  rent/purchase.  Access  to  land  is  difficult  because  of 
inheritance law and unwillingness of older farmers to release land which is embedded in 
cultural  and  historical  reasons.  The  access  of  new  entrants  without  farming  family 
tradition is more difficult. Generally, less than 1% of land is made available for purchase 
every year. Most of the land is made available to rent on a short-term basis. With the help 
of national schemes the market on long-term lease starts to develop, in particular in some 
more viable sectors (dairy). Concerning the access to finance, lack of collateral and credit 
history are the main constraints. Thus, young farmers face serious difficulties in securing 
the  long-term  lending  they  require  for  investing,  mainly  in  livestock,  machinery  and 
equipment91. 

Ireland implements several CAP measures with effect on the generational renewal. The 
young farmer payment amounts to 1.65% of the Direct payment envelope and is above 
the EU average and close to the maximum of 2%92. The beneficial conditions to receive 
payment entitlements from the national reserve enhance the payment. Both have positive 
effect  on  enabling  a  new  generation  to  enter  the  farming  sector.  The  additional 
investment support help in bringing young farmers into partnerships93. On the other hand, 
the  criterion  for  attaining  certain  level  of  skills  and  knowledge  to  access  young  farmer 
18 

 
 
 
payment  and investment  aid  at  the higher rate lead to  an increase in  knowledge among 
young farmers. The CAP measures have been accompanied by several effective national 
measures facilitating the start-up, access to land, inheritance and generational transition94.  

Source: EUROSTAT95 

2.8  Promote  employment,  growth,  social  inclusion  and  local  development  in 

rural areas, including bio-economy and sustainable forestry 

Based on the rural-urban typology, 89% of the Irish territory is rural, 10% is intermediate 
regions and 1% urban. The Irish rural area proportion is double compared to the EU-27 
average96.  Furthermore,  Ireland  has  the  youngest  population  within  the  EU97.  In  2017, 
most  people  in  Ireland  lived  in  rural  areas  (60%),  followed  by  urban  areas  (28%)  and 
intermediate areas (12%). At EU level, almost half the EU population lives in urban areas 
(44.7%) and only one-fifth lives in  rural  areas98.  Ireland also  has unique  characteristics 
regarding  population  density;  with  urban  areas  3  times  denser  populated  than  the  EU 
average (IE 1 439 inhabitants/km2 vs. EU 444) and rural areas more sparsely populated 
(IE 46 inhabitants/km2 vs. EU 51)99. In Ireland 2 out of 5 Irish residents are registered in 
the  Dublin  area.  This  population  divide  is  also  reflected  in  regionally  disaggregated 
population  density  figures,  with  higher  densities  in  the  southern  and  south-eastern 
counties,  while  central  and  northern  counties  exhibiting  population  densities  <50 
inhabitants/km2.  The  Irish  total  population  grows  at  high  pace  (IE  4.3%  between  2012 
and 2017 vs. EU 1.4%); especially rural population growth is at EU record level (IE with 
2.8% second highest growth level, while EU rural population decreased overall by 0.5%), 
while Irish urban population growth is also very high (IE 6.9% vs. EU 1.6%)100. Ireland 
is one of the 16 Member States with recent population density increases, mainly in urban 
areas101. Looking into the future, it is expected that the population divide between Dublin 
and the rest of the country will deepen, with western regions loosing inhabitants between 
now and 2032102.  

The Irish employment rate of the working-age population (15 to 64 years) in rural areas 
has been steadily increasing since 2012, moving from 59% in 2012 to 68% in 2019. As a 
positive  recent  trend,  Ireland  drew  level  with  the  EU  average  in  2014  and  since  then 
improved  rural  employment  equal  to  the  EU’s  pace,  but  not  yet  reaching  the  pre-2008 
levels.  But,  the  gap  between  male  and  female  employment  rates  remained  significant, 
with  females  reaching  10-12  percentage  points  lower  employment  rates  compared  to 
males  (in  2019  63%  female  vs  75%  male)103.  Looking  at  the  regional  types,  Ireland 
belongs to the 17 EU Member States where rural areas have lower unemployment rates 
than urban areas. However, within the category of rural areas, the dominant category in 
Ireland,  Irish  unemployment  rates  of  6.3%  are  slightly  above  EU  average  of  6.1%.  By 
19 

 
 
comparison, the youth unemployment rate (15-24 year olds) in rural Ireland at 13.7% in 
2017  is  almost  double  the  general  Irish  unemployment  rate,  though,  below  the  EU 
average of 15%104. 

In  Ireland,  the  agricultural,  food  and  tourism  sectors  together  provide  15%  of 
employment.  Over  the  last  10  years,  this  overall  figure  remained  stable,  with  tourism 
gaining importance (IE with 7.5% has the 5th biggest share of tourism jobs in the EU) and 
agriculture losing jobs. Still, the Irish agricultural sector provides a higher share of jobs 
as compared to the EU average (2017 IE 4.7% vs EU 3.8%)105. Ireland is characterised 
by  a  high  proportion  of  family  farmers  in  the  total  labour  force  (above  the  EU 
average)106, while the share of female farmers with 19% in 2016 is one of the lowest in 
the EU107. In terms of GDP per capita (purchasing power standards) Ireland is the leading 
economy in the EU with the highest average between 2013-2015, reaching 150% of the 
EU average108. This is mainly due to the high purchasing power in urban areas, double 
(i.e. 209%) the EU overall average. Rural areas (94%) and intermediate regions (102%) 
range  around  the  EU  average.  Dublin  and  the  south-west  are  above  120%,  while  the 
border region to Northern Ireland and the Midlands are between 60-80% of the average. 
This confirms the general pattern that GDP per capita in the EU is lower in rural  areas 
than in urban regions109. In 2016, one out of four citizens across all types of region is at 
risk  of  poverty  and  social  exclusion  (24.2%),  which  is  slightly  above  the  EU  average 
(23.5%).  Differentiated  by  type  of  region  in  Ireland,  dwellers  in  cities  (23.9%)  and  in 
intermediate regions (27.4%) are more likely to become poor than rural people (22.4%), 
contrary to the most common pattern in the EU where rural inhabitants tend to be more 
exposed  to  poverty110.  Taking  the  availability  of  formal  childcare  services  as  a  further 
proxy for social exclusion, financial constraints are confirmed to be the main reason for 
citizens  across  types  of  region  for  not  making  use  of  them  (approximately  40%  of 
uncovered needs in 2016). However, rural dwellers also indicate the distance to service 
providers  as  a  significant  constraint  in  this  respect  (approximately  7%  of  uncovered 
needs in 2016)111.  

LEADER has  been in  operation in  Ireland since 1991, on rural  communities across the 
country. The current implementation is going well. Long-term impacts refer to a positive 
change that  has  resulted due to  LEADER  investments  that may  have not been possible 
otherwise. They can be tangible, such as a much-needed community amenity or service, 
or something intangible, like an increased sense of community pride or well-being112. 

Forestry  and  bio-economy  in  Ireland  are  in  their  infancy.  Ireland  has  a  very  high 
agricultural area coverage, significantly above average (IE 68% vs EU 46%). Therefore, 
forest coverage is quite low at 11% (EU 40%)113. Despite the low forest coverage, Irish 
employment  in  forestry  stands  at  the  EU  average  of  0.2%  of  total  employment114. 
Between 2000 and 2012, the Irish forest area increased by 1.1%, pairing with the overall 
EU growth rate. However, looking back a bit further, Ireland increased the forest cover 
between  1990  and  2015  by  55%.  Ireland  has  a  forestry  programme  in  place,  with 
dedicated schemes to facilitate afforestation among other to contribute to climate action. 
Most  challenging  is  to  create  economic  and  social  incentives  to  promote  forestry  as  an 
alternative to other land uses such as agriculture115. The contribution of Irish forestry to 
the  country’s  renewable  energy  production  is  at  around  19%  one  of  the  lowest  in  the 
EU116. Forest protection schemes are also marginal in Ireland, having the lowest share of 
forest under protection (below 3%) in the EU. The Irish protected forest is still managed 
via  "conservation  through  active  management",  meaning  there  is  no  forest  in  Ireland 
where no human interference occurs117.  

20 

 
 
The  bio-economy  –  consisting  of  the  sectors  agriculture,  forestry,  food  and  beverages, 
paper, wood and bio-based chemicals/pharmaceutics – provides in Ireland around 8% of 
all jobs. However, the Irish bio-economy consists mainly of the traditional use cases like 
agriculture (4.7 percentage points out of the 8% jobs) and the food-sector (2.5 percentage 
points out of the 8% jobs), hugely centred around the dairy business. The turnover in the 
bio-economy is gradually increasing over recent years, where in 2015 47% was realised 
in  the  food  industry  and  37%  in  the  chemicals/pharmaceutical  industry,  leaving 
agriculture  a  share  of  12%118.  To  develop  the  bio-economy  further,  Ireland  set  out  a 
national policy statement with latest update in 2019119, listing coherence of sectors, the 
development  of  new  bio-based  products  and  their  output  markets  and  access  to  EU 
funding and other financial instruments for finance leveraging. 

2.9  Improve  the  response  of  EU  agriculture  to  societal  demands  on  food  and 
health,  including  safe,  nutritious  and  sustainable  food,  as  well  as  animal 
welfare. 

In 2018 the annual sales of antimicrobial agents for food producing animals was at 46.0 
mg/PCU, showing a slight decline over the last years, which is well below the 2018 EU 
average of 118.3 mg/PCU120. 

Assessment  of  the  implementation  of  the  Sustainable  Use  Directive  demonstrate  that 
there  are  still  gaps  in  many  areas  of  the  Irish  national  action  plan,  as  well  as  serious 
weaknesses in the official control system to ensure the implementation of integrated pest 
management.  This  concerns  training  and  certification  of  pesticide  operators,  inspected 
equipment  in  use,  derogations,  promotion  of  low  pesticide-input  pest  management  and 
controls for integrated pest management121. 

Harmonised risk indicator 1 (HRI 1), is calculated using the quantities of pesticide active 
substances that are placed on the market, with a weighting based on the classification of 
the active substance, in  accordance with Reg. EC 1107/2009. According to the  ESTAT 
calculation of the HRI 1, the use and risk linked to pesticides reduced in Ireland by 31% 
in a period of 2011-2018, compared to a 17% decline in the EU122. Ireland, is therefore in 
right  trend  to  decrease  the  use  of  pesticides  and  fulfil  the  Farm  to  Fork  objectives.  In 
addition, no major issues have been identified as regards HRI2.  

In relation to animal health and welfare, one of the main issues in Ireland is that the tail 
docking  of  pigs  is  a  routine  practice,  although  this  is  prohibited  by  EU  rules.  Tail 
docking is routinely practiced to prevent tail-biting. Tail-biting is an abnormal behaviour. 
A  wide  range  of  environmental,  dietary  and  husbandry  factors  have  been  identified  as 
risks  for  tail-biting.  Tail-biting  may  not  be  completely  eradicated,  but  risks  can  be 
considerably reduced with correct management.  Actions are also needed to improve the 
viability of male calves from the dairy herd to provide an option to integrate into locally 
based production systems123. 

21 

 
 
 
 
Source: ESVAC124 

              Source: EUROSTAT

125 

A  significant  part  of  the  Irish  population  is  overweight  or  obese126,  also  Ireland  has  a 
high  estimated  consumption  of  red  meat127.    Efforts  should  focus  on  shifting  towards 
healthy sustainable diets, in line with national recommendations, in order to contribute to 
reducing  rates  of  overweight,  obesity  and  the  incidence  of  non-communicable  diseases 
while  simultaneously  improving  the  overall  environmental  impact  of  the  food  system. 
This would include moving to a more plant based diet with less red meat and more fruits 
and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. 

Concerning food loss and waste in primary production and processing of food no data is 
yet  available.  Moreover,  the  National  Waste  Prevention  Programme  (2016-2020)128 
could  give  more  attention  to  food  loss  and  waste  occurring  at  the  primary  production 
level and the early stages of the supply chain. This could be tackled in the future national 
food  waste  prevention  programme,  as  required  by  Article  29(2a)  of  the  Waste 
Framework Directive 2008/98/EC.  

2.10 Cross-cutting objective on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation 

Ireland  has  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  integrated  Agricultural  Knowledge  and 
Innovation  Systems  (AKIS)  in  EU,  including  effective  training  programmes  and  well-
functioning  advisory  services  linked  to  research129.  The  key  actor  in  the  Irish  AKIS  is 
Teagasc  –  the  Agriculture  and  Food  Development  Authority.  Teagasc  is  the  national 
body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and 
food industry and rural communities. There is also a good level of cooperation between 
different  research  institutes  and  universities  in  Ireland.  However,  the  interlinkage  with 
private advisors that do receive training is still not fully developed; a stronger back-office 
may be useful. There is also a potential to create innovation support services.  

The  National  Rural  Network  (NRN)  or  other  entities  have  organised  networking 
activities  connecting  research  actors  such  as  universities  and  partners  of  Horizon  2020 
projects with farmers, advisors and rural businesses. This experience can be the basis for 
the  future  national  CAP  network  to  intensify  such  actions  and  play  a  key  role  in 
promoting synergies between the CAP and European Research Area (ERA). A way to do 
so  is  to  keep  in  close  touch  with  the  Horizon  Europe  National  Contact  Point  and  to 
intensify  the  use  of  the  EIP  website  to  share  information.  Moreover,  by  collecting  and 
disseminating  information,  the  CAP  can  finance  interventions  that  help  to  make  use  of 
up-to-date scientific information for agricultural practices, for instance through the CAP 
network  and  its  knowledge  platforms  and  knowledge  reservoirs,  and  by  setting  up 

22 

 
 
 
 
advisory back-offices where the latest knowledge and innovation is collected and shared 
with the field advisors and the farmers.  

In  the  programming  period  2014-2020,  Ireland  programmed  4.9%  of  its  total  rural 
development  envelope  (EAFRD  +  national  contribution)  under  rural  development 
measures  for  knowledge  transfer  and  information  actions,  advisory  services,  farm 
management  and  farm  relief  services  and  co-operation-EIP.  This  is  above  the  EU-28 
average of 3.6%130. At the end of 2019, approximately 94 000 participants had received 
training financed under these measures, which included more than 17 000 participants in 
the Knowledge Transfer scheme131. 

The  European  Innovation  Partnership  for  Agricultural  Productivity  and  Sustainability 
(EIP-AGRI) contains EIP operational groups (OGs) that are set up by interested parties 
such  as  farmers,  researchers,  advisors  and  businesses  involved  in  the  agricultural  and 
food  sector.  The  different  actors  in  the  OGs  work  together  on  concrete,  practical 
solutions  to  a  problem  or  innovative  opportunity.  The  goal  of  these  innovation 
partnerships is the experimentation of new ideas and practices, which, if successful, can 
be used by farmers on a wider scale in order to improve productivity, enhance resource 
efficiency and pursue practices that lead to more sustainable farming. There are until now 
23 Irish operational groups up and running132. The OGs in Ireland overall have a strong 
focus on biodiversity / nature / landscape management. The Irish EIP approach has so far 
been  very  successful.  Scaling  up  some  of  the  most  successful  projects  to  regional  or 
national level is a further step to take. The Irish NRN is promoting innovation actively 
and is communicating well133 .  

In  2016,  half  of  farm  managers  in  Ireland  had  received  agricultural  training  (25%  full 
training, 25% basic training only). This marked an increase from 2010 - when the figures 
were  16%  for  full  training,  15%  for  basic  training.  The  share  of  farmers  that  have 
acquired  full  agricultural  training  (meaning  any  training  course  continuing  for  the 
equivalent of at least two years' full-time training after the end of compulsory education 
and completed at an agricultural college, university or other institute of higher education 
in agriculture) is larger in Ireland than in the EU as a whole134. 

In  general,  Ireland  ranks  highly  in  the  Digital  Economy  and  Society  Index  2020  and 
Teagasc  has  developed  a  range  of  digital  tools  to  support  its  advisory  services  across 
Ireland. The primary objective of these digital tools is to support evidence-based decision 
making  at  farm  level  by  combining  data  from  different  sources135.  Ireland  has  not  yet 
opted  for  the  use  of  satellite-based  means  to  monitor  CAP  implementation  but  is 
currently  part  of  EU  projects  dealing  with  the  uptake  of  new  technologies  for  the 
modernisation of CAP administrations, CAP controls and interactions with farmers. 

In rural broadband connectivity,  Ireland has made strong progress over the last decade. 
As the graph below shows, Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband is now available 
to  90%  of  rural  households,  while  it  was  non-existent  in  rural  Ireland  back  in  2011136. 
However, todays businesses often need better than NGA, looking at access to very high 
capacity network (VHCN). Almost one third of SMEs find the lack of IT infrastructure in 
Ireland (vs 19% EU-27) an obstacle to expansion or relocation in the country. Ireland is 
one of the EU's most expensive countries for broadband, and performs weakly in VHCN 
coverage, at 21%, at less than half the EU average (44%). In rural areas, this coverage is 
substantially  lower,  only  7%  vs  20%  EU  average,  adding  a  digital  divide  within  the 
country  to  that  with  other  EU  Member  States.  Ireland  is  taking  action  to  address  the 
issues around  IT infrastructure in  rural  areas.  However, it is  also  important  to  invest in 
digital  skills.  Many  jobs  requires  strong  digital  skills,  and  the  relatively  low  level  of 

23 

 
 
digital skills (in rural areas and the agricultural sector) in Ireland is a barrier for greater 
uptake of innovation137. 

Source: EUROSTAT138 

Source: Digital Economy and Society Index139 

24 

 
 
 
 
1   Eurostat - National Accounts and Economic Accounts for Agriculture 
2   https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-

fisheries/by_country/documents/analytical_factsheet_ie.pdf  

3   DG  SANTE  proposals 

for  country-specific 

recommendations  on  F2F  objectives,  Ref. 

Ares(2020)4578850 - 03/09/2020 

4   EU  SCAR  AKIS  (2019),  Preparing  for  Future  AKIS  in  Europe.  Brussels,  European  Commission, 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/report-
preparing-for-future-akis-in-europe_en.pdf 

the 

5   Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine  - Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food  
- 

and 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodindustrydevelopmenttrademarkets/agri-
foodandtheeconomy/publications/aro2020/AnnualReviewandOutlookofDAFM2020Final031120.pdf 
6   Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine  - Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food  
- 

and 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodindustrydevelopmenttrademarkets/agri-
foodandtheeconomy/publications/aro2020/AnnualReviewandOutlookofDAFM2020Final031120.pdf  
7   FAO    2020  Global  Forest  Resources  Assessment,  Internet  access  to  the  database,  e.g.:  https://fra-

Marine 

Marine 

2020 

2020 

the 

platform.herokuapp.com/AUT/assessment/fra2020/extentOfForest/ 

8   Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine  - Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food 

and the Marine 2019 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodindustrydevelopmenttrademarkets/agri-
foodandtheeconomy/publications/DepartmentAgricultureAnnualReviewOutlook2019200919.pdf  

9   European  Commission  -  Analytical  factsheet  for  Ireland:  Nine  objectives  for  a  future  common 

agricultural policy 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-
fisheries/by_country/documents/analytical_factsheet_ie.pdf 

10   Eurostat  -  National  Accounts  and  Economic  Accounts  for  Agriculture,  Directorate  General  for 
Agriculture  and  Rural  Development.  Common  Agriculture  Policy  context  indicator  C.26  Agricultural 
entrepreneurial  income.  Income  based  on  EUROSTAT  [aact_eaa04],  [aact_ali01]  and  [aact_eaa06], 
adding  back  the  compensation  of  employees  to  the  entrepreneurial  income  and  divided  by  the  total 
number of annual working units. Note: 2019 data estimated. The Average wage in the economy based 
on  EUROSTAT  [nama_10_a10_e]  thousand  hours  worked  using  employees  domestic  concept  and 
[nama_10_a10], item wages and salaries. 

11   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on FADN data 
12   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  own  calculations  based  on  FADN  and 

CATS data (up to 2018) 

13   The biggest physical size class in Ireland is up to 200 ha (DG AGRI - FADN standard reports). 
14   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on FADN data. 
15   Directorate-General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development,  ECORYS,  Wageningen  Economic 

Research, Study on risk management in EU agriculture, 2018, ECORYS study 

16   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. CAP context indicators C.25 Agricultural 
factor income and  CAP context indicator C.26 Agricultural entrepreneurial  income. Income based on 
EUROSTAT [aact_eaa04], [aact_ali01] and [aact_eaa06], adding back the compensation of employees 
to the entrepreneurial income and divided by the total number of annual working units. Note: 2019 data 
estimated. The Average wage in the economy based on EUROSTAT [nama_10_a10_e] thousand hours 
worked using employees domestic concept and [nama_10_a10], item wages and salaries. 

17   Department  of  Agriculture,  Food  and  the  Marine  (2019)  Fact  Sheet  on  Irish  Agriculture. 

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodindustrydevelopmenttrademarkets/agri-
foodandtheeconomy/publications/December2019Factsheet201219.pdf  

18   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.17  Agricultural  holdings  (farms).  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmleg] 

19   EU  SCAR  AKIS  (2019),  Preparing  for  Future  AKIS  in  Europe.  Brussels,  European  Commission,  

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/report-
preparing-for-future-akis-in-europe_en.pdf 

20   European  Commission  (2019)  Analytical  factsheet  for  Ireland:  Nine  objectives  for  a  future  common 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-

agricultural 
policy, 
fisheries/by_country/documents/analytical_factsheet_ie.pdf 

21   Teagasc 

Preliminary  Results, 
Farm 
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2020/TeagascNFS2019-Preliminary-Results.pdf  

Teagasc  National 

Survey 

(2019) 

2019 

: 

25 

 
 
 
                                                           
 
22   FI compass (2020) Financial needs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors in Ireland,  https://www.fi-
compass.eu/sites/default/files/publications/financial_needs_agriculture_agrifood_sectors_Ireland.pdf  

23   Department 

of  Agriculture, 

Food 

and 

the  Marine 

(2019) 

Trade 

Factsheet,  

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodindustrydevelopmenttrademarkets/agri-
foodandtheeconomy/publications/TradeFactsheetDecemberFinal201219.pdf  

24   Central  Bank  of  Ireland  (2019)  New  Risks  and  Old  Problems:  The  Uncertain  Outlook  for  Irish 
https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/publications/economic-letters/vol-2019-

Agriculture, 
no-10-new-risks-and-old-problems-the-uncertain-outlook-for-irish-agriculture.pdf  

25   Teagasc 

Brexit 
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/BSAS_Hanrahan_Brexit_Ireland.pdf  

Agricultural 

Impact 

(2018) 

Irish 

the 

on 

of 

Sector,  

26   Central  Bank  of  Ireland  (2019)  New  Risks  and  Old  Problems:  The  Uncertain  Outlook  for  Irish 
Agriculture,  :  https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/publications/economic-letters/vol-2019-
no-10-new-risks-and-old-problems-the-uncertain-outlook-for-irish-agriculture.pdf  

27   Teagasc 

of 
The 
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Beef-Manual-Section1.pdf  

Significance 

(2016) 

Beef,  

28   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.27 Total factor  productivity.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[aact_eaa05], [aact_eaa04], [aact_ali01], [apro_cpsh1] and [ef_mptenure] and FADN  

29   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.27 Total factor  productivity.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[aact_eaa05], [aact_eaa04], [aact_ali01], [apro_cpsh1] and [ef_mptenure] and FADN 

30   European Commission. Based on EUROSTAT - Economic accounts for agriculture [aact_eaa01] 
31   European  Commission  (2019)  Analytical  factsheet  for  Ireland:  Nine  objectives  for  a  future  common 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-

agricultural 
policy, 
fisheries/by_country/documents/analytical_factsheet_ie.pdf 

32   European  Commission  -  Producer  and  interbranch  organisations,  https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-

farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/market-measures/agri-food-supply-
chain/producer-and-interbranch-organisations_en  

33   European Commission - Inventory of recognised producer organisations in the EU's agricultural sector, 

https://data.europa.eu/euodp/fr/data/dataset/inventory-of-recognised-producer-
organisations/resource/ed8a7d9c-f80c-43b7-92ea-bd115b3781f9  

34 

European 

Commission, 

Value, 
https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardIndicators/AddingValue.html?select=EU27_FLAG,1  
35 European Commission, Joint Research Centre  – Technical Report: Milk Package provisions as regards 
negotiations, 

Producer 
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/111111111/49771/1/milk_package_pos-
jrc_report.pdf  

Organisations 

Dashboard: 

collective 

AgriData 

Adding 

and 

36   European 

Commission 

– 

Recognised 

InterBranch 

Organisation, 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/recognised-
ibos_en.pdf  

37   Study  on  economic  value  of  EU  quality  schemes,  geographical  indications  (GIs)  and  traditional 
specialities  guaranteed  (TSGs)  https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/a7281794-7ebe-
11ea-aea8-01aa75ed71a1  

38   European  Commission.  CAP  indicators  –  Data  explorer.  CAP  Result  indicator  RPI_03  Value  for 

primary producers in the food chain. 

39   National  Peatlands  Strategy,  Department  of  Arts,  Heritage  and 

the  Gaeltacht,  2015, 
https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/NationalPeatlandsStrategy2015EnglishVers.pdf 
40   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.45 Emissions from agriculture. Based on EUROSTAT 

[env_air_emis], original source European Environmental Agency (UNFCC_v22) 

41   Environmental Protection Agency https://www.epa.ie/ghg/agriculture/ 
42   European  Commission. CAP  context  indicator  C.18  Agricultural  area. Based  on  EUROSTAT 
[apro_cpsh1], CAP  context  indicator  C.21  Livestock  units. Based  on  EUROSTAT  [ef_lsk_main], 
[ef_lsk_poultry],  [ef_lsk_bovine]  and  [ef_lus_main]  and CAP  context  indicator  C.45  Emissions  from 
agriculture. Based  on  EUROSTAT  [env_air_emis],  original  source  European  Environmental  Agency 
(UNFCC_v22) 

43   Ibid. 
44   Teagasc (2020) Protecting soil carbon stocks and enhancing Carbon Sequestration: 

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/protecting-soil-carbon-stocks-and-enhancing-carbon 
sequestration.php 

45   FAO    2020  Global  Forest  Resources  Assessment,  Internet  access  to  the  database,  e.g.:  https://fra-

platform.herokuapp.com/AUT/assessment/fra2020/extentOfForest/  

26 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                            
 
46   Ryan,  M.  and  O’Donoghue,  C.  Socio-economic  drivers  of  farm  afforestation  decision-making.  Irish 

Forestry, 73, 2016, pp. 96–121. 

47   European Commission. CAP  context  indicator C.43 Production of renewable energy from agriculture 
and  forestry.  Based  on  EUROSTAT  [nrg_bal_c]  and  [nrg_cb_rw],  and  Strategie  Grains. 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-
indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

48   Tong Zhu, John Curtisa, and Matthew Clancyc.. Promoting biogas and biomethane production: Lessons 

from cross country studies, ESRI, 2019. http://aei.pitt.edu/102241/1/WP630.pdf 

49   COFORD 

(2018)  Wood  Supply 

to  2025 
and  Demand  on 
http://www.coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/2018/3COFORDWoodSupplyandDemand1212
18.pdf 

Island  of 

Ireland 

the 

50   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.44  Energy  use  in  agriculture,  forestry  and  food 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-

industry. 
fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-indicators-table_2019_en.pdf [nrg_bal_s] 

EUROSTAT. 

Based 

on 

51   TEAGASC, 

2015. 
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2013/5912_Farm_Diversification_Technology_Upd
ate_Final_.pdf  

diversification, 

Attitudes 

farm 

to 

52   Department  of  Communications,  Climate  Action  &  Environment.  National  Energy  and  Climate  Plan 

2021-2030. https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/ie_final_necp_main_en.pdf  

53   European Environmental Agency. As in EUROSTAT [env_air_gge] 
54   DG 

on 
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/lsd/livestocksurveydecember2019/  

Central 

AGRI 

based 

Irish 

Statistics 

Office. 

55   Department  of  Agriculture,  Food  and  the  Marine  (2020):  https://data.gov.ie/organization/department-

of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine 

56   Teagasc  (2020).  2027  Sectoral  Road  Map:  Dairy.  https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/2027-

sectoral-road-map-dairy.php  

57   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.45 Emissions from agriculture. Based on EUROSTAT 

[env_air_emis], original source European Environmental Agency (UNFCC_v22). 

58   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.45 Emissions from agriculture. Based on EUROSTAT 
(UNFCC_v22). 

[env_air_emis], 
European 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-
indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

Environmental 

Agency 

original 

source 

59   European  Commission.  Communication  from  the  Commissions  to  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Council, 
the  Regions  –  Environmental 
Implementation  Review  2019:  A  Europe  that  protects  its  citizens  and  enhances  their  quality  of  life. 
COM(2019) 149 final. 

the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  of 

60   European  Commission.  Communication  from  the  Commissions  to  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Council, 
the  Regions  –  Environmental 
Implementation  Review  2019:  A  Europe  that  protects  its  citizens  and  enhances  their  quality  of  life. 
COM(2019) 149 final. 

the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  of 

61   S. O’Boyle, W. Trodd, C. Bradley, D.Tierney, R. Wilkes, S. Ní Longphuirt, J. Smith, A. Stephens, J. 
Barry, P. Maher, R. McGinn, E. Mockler, J. Deakin, M. Craig and M. Gurrie Water Quality in Ireland, 
2013-2018. 
pages. 
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/Water%20Quality%20in%20Ireland%202013-
2018%20(web).pdf 

Environmental 

Johnstown 

Protection 

Agency, 

Castle. 

108 

62   Ibid. 
63   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.40 Water quality. Based on EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb] 
and European Environmental Agency as in Waterbase – Water Quality, CSI020, based on data reported 
to  EIONET.  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-
context-indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

64   Nitrates, Biodiversity and Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture, 2019 Nitrates Derogation 

Review. 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/environment/nitrates/2019/PublicCo
nsultation2019NitratesDerogationReview290319.pdf 

65   S. O’Boyle, W. Trodd, C. Bradley, D.Tierney, R. Wilkes, S. Ní Longphuirt, J. Smith, A. Stephens, J. 
Barry, P. Maher, R. McGinn, E. Mockler, J. Deakin, M. Craig and M. Gurrie Water Quality in Ireland, 
2013-2018. 
pages. 
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/Water%20Quality%20in%20Ireland%202013-
2018%20(web).pdf 

Environmental 

Johnstown 

Protection 

Agency, 

Castle. 

108 

27 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                            
 
66   European  Environment  Agency 

(EEA).  Use 

of  Freshwater  Resources 

in  Europe. 

https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/use-of-freshwater-resources-3/assessment-4  
67   European  Commission.  Communication  from  the  Commissions  to  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Council, 
the  Regions  –  Environmental 
Implementation  Review  2019:  A  Europe  that  protects  its  citizens  and  enhances  their  quality  of  life. 
COM(2019) 149 final. 

the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  of 

68   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.41 Soil organic matter in arable land. Joint Research 
Center  (JRC)  based  on  LUCAS  Land  Use  Survey  2015.  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-
farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

69   European  Commission.  Communication  from  the  Commissions  to  the  European  Parliament,  the 
the  Regions  –  Environmental 
Council, 
Implementation  Review  2019:  A  Europe  that  protects  its  citizens  and  enhances  their  quality  of  life. 
COM(2019) 149 final. 

the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  of 

70   https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/percentage-sealing-by-country-1/download.table 
71   EUROSTAT. 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Agri-

[ef_mp_prac]. 

environmental_indicator_-_tillage_practices  

72   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.40 Water quality. Based on EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb] 
and European Environmental Agency as in Waterbase – Water Quality, CSI020, based on data reported 
to EIONET 

73   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.35  Farmland  birds  index  (FBI).  As  in  EUROSTAT 
CSO. 
EBCC, 

[env_bio2], 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-
indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

BirdLife, 

original 

source: 

RSPB 

and 

74   Lewis, L. J., Coombes, D., Burke, B., O’Halloran, J., Walsh, A., Tierney, T. D. & Cummins, S. (2019) 
Countryside Bird Survey: Status and trends of common and widespread breeding birds 1998-2016. Irish 
Wildlife Manuals, No. 115. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and 
the Gaeltacht, Ireland.   

75   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.36  Conservation  status  of  agricultural  habitats. 
Original  source:  European  Environmental  Agency.  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-
farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

76   Draft 

2000 
Framework 
https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/paf-2021-2027-consultation-draft.pdf  

Prioritised 

Action 

Natura 

(PAF) 

for 

in 

Ireland  

77   Regan,  E.C.,  Nelson,  B.,  Aldwell,  B.,  Bertrand,  C.,  Bond,  K.,  Harding,  J.,  Nash,  D.,  Nixon,  D.,  & 
Wilson, C.J.(2010) Ireland Red List No. 4 Butterflies. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department 
of 
Ireland. 
https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/RL_2010_Butterflies.pdf  

Environment, 

Government, 

Heritage 

Local 

and 

the 

78   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.34  Natura  2000  areas.  Based  on  NATURA  2000 
2018. 

Barometer 
Cover 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-
indicators-table_2019_en.pdf 

Environmental 

European 

Agency, 

Corine 

Land 

and 

79   European  Commission,  DG  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  analysis  based  on  Member  States’ 

notifications pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 
80   National  Biodiversity  Data  Series  No.  3.  All 

Ireland  Pollinator  Plan  2015-2020. 

https://pollinators.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Pollinator-Plan-2018-WEB.pdf 

81   Renou-Wilson, F. and Wilson, D. (2018), Vulnerability assessment of peatlands: exploration of impacts 
and  adaptation  options  in  relation  to  climate  change  and  extreme  events  (VAPOR).  Report  No.  250. 
Environmental Protection Agency. 

82   Ireland’s 

National 

Forest 

Inventory 

2017 

– 

Results 

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/nationalforestinventory/nationalforestinventor
yresultsdata/2018/Results311018.pdf         

83   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.34  Natura  2000  areas.  Based  on  NATURA  2000 
2018. 

Barometer 
Cover 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-
indicators-table_2019_en.pdf  

Environmental 

European 

Agency, 

Corine 

Land 

and 

84   DG AGRI based on Eurostat and JRC based on LUCAS survey 
85   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.19 Agricultural area under organic farming. Based on 
EUROSTAT  [org_cropar_h1]  and  [org_cropar].  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-
fisheries/farming/documents/cap-context-indicators-table_2019_en.pdf  

86   https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=org_cropar&lang=en  

28 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                            
 
 
87   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.19 Agricultural area under organic farming. Based on 

EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar] 

88   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development.  Based  on  EUROSTAT  for  land  laying 

fallow and Joint Research Center based on LUCAS survey for estimation of landscape elements 
89European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.02  Age  structure.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 
[demo_r_pjanaggr3 

90   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on FADN data (up 

to 2018) 

91   European Investment Bank, Financial needs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors in Ireland, 2020, FI 

compass study 

92   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on AGREX data 
93   ADE s.a , CCRI , Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development , OIR, Evaluation of the 
impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas, 2019, Evaluation 
on generational renewal 

94   ADE s.a , CCRI , Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development , OIR, Evaluation of the 
impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas, 2019, Evaluation 
on generational renewal 
95   EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 
96   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.03 Territory. Based on EUROSTAT [reg_area3] and 

[urt_d3area] 

97   European  Commission.  CAP  context 

[demo_r_pjanaggr3] 

98   European  Commission.  CAP  context 

indicator  C.02  Age  structure.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

indicator  C.01  Population.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[demo_r_gind3].  

99   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.04  Population  density.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[demo_r_d3dens] and [urt_d3dens] 

100  European  Commission.  CAP  context 

indicator  C.01  Population.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[demo_r_gind3] 

101  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.04  Population  density.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[demo_r_d3dens] and [urt_d3dens] 

102  Copus et al. (2020). Interim report ESCAPE European Shrinking Rural Areas: Challenges, Actions and 

Perspectives for territorial Governance. ESPON Escape project 

103  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.05  Employment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_ergau] and [lfst_r_erednu] 

104  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.07  Unemployment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_lfu3rt] 

105  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.13  Employment  by  economic  activity.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [lfst_r_lfe2en2] 

106  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.22  Farm  labour  force.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[ef_lf_main] 

107  EUROSTAT. [ef_lf_size] 
108  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.08  GDP  per  capita.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[nama_10r_3gdp] and [nama_10r_3popgdp] 

109  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.08  GDP  per  capita.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[nama_10r_3gdp] and [nama_10r_3popgdp] 

110  European Commission. CAP context indicator C.09 Poverty rate. Based on EUROSTAT [ilc_peps11] 
111  EUROSTAT. [ilc_ats04] 
112  https://www.nationalruralnetwork.ie/a-celebration-of-leader-campaign/, cited on 18.11.2020 
113  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.31  Land  cover.  Based  on  European  Environmental 

Agency, Corine Land Cover 2018 

114  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.13  Employment  by  economic  activity.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [lfst_r_lfe2en2] 

115  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 22/1/2015, Ref: IRL-DAFM-FS.023: 
URL: 
2014 

Forestry 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestryprogramme2014-
2020/IRELANDForestryProgramme20142020230215.pdf  

Programme 

2020, 

116  European Commission. CAP  context  indicator C.43 Production of renewable energy from agriculture 

– 

and forestry. Based on EUROSTAT [nrg_bal_c] and [nrg_cb_rw], and Strategie Grains 

117  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.38  Protected  forest.  Original  source:  Forest 
Europe/Unece/FAO - State of Europe's Forests 2015 Report (SoEF 2015), tables A4.14 and A4.15 

29 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                            
 
118  DATAM 

bio 

economy, 

JRC, 

URL: 

https://datam.jrc.ec.europa.eu/datam/mashup/BIOECONOMICS/index.html 

119  Government of Ireland 2018: National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy, ISBN - S130/07/43/0004, 

URL: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c1e596-national-policy-statement-on-the-bioeconomy/  

120  European  Medicines  Agency,  European  Surveillance  of  Veterinary  Antimicrobial  consumption 
(ESVAC). Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 countries in 2018 – trends from 2010 to 2018 
Tenth ESVAC Report. EMA/24309/2020. 

121  European  Commission,  DG  SANTE  proposals  for  country-specific  recommendations  on  F2F 

objectives, Ref. Ares(2020)4578850 - 03/09/2020 

122  European Commission. Harmonised Risk Indicator for pesticides (HRI 1), by group of active substance. 

As in EUROSTAT [SDG_02_51] 

123  European  Commission,  DG  SANTE  proposals  for  country-specific  recommendations  on  F2F 

objectives, Ref. Ares(2020)4578850 - 03/09/2020 

124  European  Medicines  Agency,  European  Surveillance  of  Veterinary  Antimicrobial  Consumption 
(ESVAC). Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 countries in 2017 – trends from 2010 to 2017 
Ninth ESVAC Report. EMA/294674/2019. 

125  European Commission. Harmonised Risk Indicator for pesticides (HRI 1), by group of active substance. 

As in EUROSTAT [SDG_02_51] 

126  https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/sdg_02_10/default/table?lang=en,  obesity  rates  as  well 

as overweight rates are above EU27 average 

127  defined as beef, lamb and pork, 112,04g/per capita/d,  net of waste in the EU 2010,  GBD study 2017 

and M. Springmann 

128  Towards a  Resource Efficient Ireland  – A National  Strategy to 2020 incorporating Ireland’s National 

Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) - http://www.epa.ie/waste/nwpp/  

129  EU  SCAR  AKIS  (2019),  Preparing  for  Future  AKIS  in  Europe.  Brussels,  European  Commission,  

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/report-
preparing-for-future-akis-in-europe_en.pdf 

130  European  Commission  (2019)  Analytical  factsheet  for  Ireland:  Nine  objectives  for  a  future  common 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-

agricultural 
policy, 
fisheries/by_country/documents/analytical_factsheet_ie.pdf 

131  Irish Rural Development Programme, Annual Implementation Report 2019 
132  Indecon  Mid-Term  Evaluation  of 

the  Rural  Development  Programme  Ireland  (2014-2020),  

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/ruraldevelopment/ruraldevelopmentp
rogramme2014-2020/FinalReportMidTermReviewoftheRDP081019.pdf 

133  EU  SCAR  AKIS  (2019),  Preparing  for  Future  AKIS  in  Europe.  Brussels,  European  Commission,  

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/report-
preparing-for-future-akis-in-europe_en.pdf 

134  European Commission. CAP context indicator C.24 Agricultural training of farm managers. Based on 

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

135  EU  SCAR  AKIS  (2019),  Preparing  for  Future  AKIS  in  Europe.  Brussels,  European  Commission,  

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/report-
preparing-for-future-akis-in-europe_en.pdf 

136  European Commission. Digital Economy and Society Index. DESI individual indicators – 1b1 Fast BB 

(NGA) coverage [desi_1b1_fbbc]  

137  European  Commission.  Staff    Working  Document  -  EU  semester  Country  Report  Ireland  2020. 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/2020-european-semester-country-

final 

506 

SWD(2020) 
reports_en 

138  European Commission. CAP context indicator C.24 Agricultural training of farm managers. Based on 

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

139  European Commission. Digital Economy and Society Index. DESI individual indicators – 1b1 Fast BB 

(NGA) coverage [desi_1b1_fbbc]  

30