Minister Must Secure Cap Deal That Works for Ireland

IFA President John Bryan and a delegation of the National Chairmen from the main commodities will be in Brussels today (Mon 18th of March) for the next round of crucial talks on CAP Reform.

John Bryan said these reforms are very damaging for Irish agriculture, and the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney must reject the most negative aspects of Commissioner Ciolos’ proposals and secure a deal that works for active productive farmers in Ireland.

“As the proposals stand, 80,000 farmers would lose over €250m from their Single Farm Payment. This will result in income losses of between 30% and 50% for tens of thousands of farm families totally undermining their viability.”

John Bryan said IFA remains opposed to flattening and regionalisation or a mandatory minimum payment.  He reminded Minister Coveney of what he said in the Farmers Journal two weeks ago: ‘I have not proposed a mandatory minimum payment within countries’.  Mr Bryan said forcing a mandatory minimum payment on Ireland would completely negate the outcome suggested by the Minister under his approximation model, and any benefits that could accrue from a flexible greening option would be eroded.

The IFA President said a minimum payment would take money from productive farmers and redistribute it to inactive farmers who produce little. “This is unfair and unacceptable. IFA is insisting that monies available for re-distribution are targeted at active farmers with low payments, using objective criteria such as stocking rates and the option of coupling.”

Mr Bryan said the Minister must also commit 50:50 co-financing for the next Rural Development programme for the next seven years to support vulnerable regions and vulnerable sectors.</span>

The IFA President will be joined in Brussels by the Chairmen of the Livestock, Dairy, Rural Development, Sheep and Grain Committees.