Work on Impact Assessment of CAP Strategic Plan Should Begin Immediately
IFA President Tim Cullinan has acknowledged the move by the EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski to carry out ‘a comprehensive impact assessment’ of the CAP Strategic Plans.
“This is an important step, but it must begin immediately. It’s long overdue. In fact, it’s something IFA has been looking for since the CAP Budget was announced in the summer of 2020,” he said.
The IFA President said the Commission cannot try to force through the targets in Farm to Fork through the back door of the CAP National Strategic Plans.
“The only assessment so far of the impact of the Farm to Fork strategy on incomes and food security was done by the USDA, and it was very concerning,” he said.
The Commission’s JRC technical report on effects of the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies was released in August. In line with other reports, it showed a 5-15% decline in agriculture production and a 10% increase in production costs.
The IFA President said the Commission’s own study showed that 50% of GHG emissions reduction would be substituted by equivalent GHG emissions in 3rd countries, which underlines the need for greater coherence in Commission policy.
Tim Cullinan said some of what’s proposed in the next CAP will have far-reaching and significant implications for Irish farmers, and the wider sector.
