The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a paper outlining possible hybrid models of decoupling as part of the on-going CAP reform consultation process.

The models, which were issued to all key interest groups late last week, are part of a process of informing discussions on the CAP reform options. The paper will be complemented by a seminar to be held later this month in which various scenarios around decoupling will be explained further to representatives from the key stakeholder organisations.

A DARD spokesman said: "DARD aims to ensure that the farming and rural community can make an informed decision on CAP reform.

"In the course of the current consultation on the major implementation options to be deployed in Northern Ireland, interest has been expressed in seeing more details on hybrid models of decoupling. In response to this, Ian Pearson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has asked that a number of possible models be drawn up and fed into the consultation process."

Last weeks paper describes three examples of hybrid models of decoupling and analyses their impact on the distribution of decoupled subsidy within Northern Ireland agriculture. They have also been designed to demonstrate the principles underpinning this approach and there are many possible variants which could be created.

"The purpose of the paper is purely to inform the consultation process and to allow stakeholders to arrive at a position on their preferred way forward having examined all relevant issues. DARD will, of course, continue to provide whatever clarification and further analysis it can on these issues as required by stakeholders to facilitate their deliberations," the spokesman added.

(MB)