Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024
Specific Details
Draft Implementing Act re geo-tagged photos
Intended results
To highlight that, while IFA acknowledges the draft Implementing Act, which is part of the European Commission's simplification package, it is on the proviso that greater flexibility and efficiency gains afforded to paying agencies yields direct and obvious gains for Irish farmers in the form of improved administration and reduced verification/certification requirements.
To acknowledge that geo-tagged photos are now not mandatory eligibility criteria (confined to Copernicus Sentinel).
To acknowledge that Article 10(4) deletion eases pressure to have the geo-tagged measure covered by Area Monitoring systems (AMS) by 1.1.2027.
To seek reassurance that paying agencies cannot utilise the proposed amendments to create more interventions into the 'verification' mix via the 'other data of at least equivalent value' element (particularly in the context of results-based approach).
To propose that use of geo-tagged photos/equivalent alternatives should be proportionate and only used to satisfy regulatory requirements, and when they bring clear and obvious efficiency gains to the applicant. All reporting/control obligations must be workable for all applicants. Member States should have more flexibility to select appropriate control methods, and under what context same would be required.
to emphasise that it is imperative that the collected geo-tagged photos or equivalent are utilised strictly for the specific purposes for which they were collected. These images should not be misused by payment agencies for punitive measures in unrelated areas. Ensuring the integrity and appropriate use of these photos will help maintain the trust of the farming community and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency in regulatory compliance.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Rachel Moloney IFA Policy Executive,
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Barry Andrews
MEP (European Parliament)
Billy Kelleher
MEP (European Parliament)
Chris MacManus
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciarán Cuffe
MEP (European Parliament)
Clare Daly
MEP (European Parliament)
Colm Markey
MEP (European Parliament)
Deirdre Clune
MEP (European Parliament)
Frances Fitzgerald
MEP (European Parliament)
Grace O'Sullivan
MEP (European Parliament)
Luke Ming Flanagan
MEP (European Parliament)
Maria Walsh
MEP (European Parliament)
Mick Wallace
MEP (European Parliament)
Sean Kelly
MEP (European Parliament)