Government and Commissioner Hogan Must Be Resolute on CAP Budget

With draft details emerging as to the shape of the next CAP, IFA President Joe Healy said the Irish Government and Commissioner Hogan must be resolute and “fight like hell” to secure an increase in the CAP Budget as part of the MFF negotiations on the EU Budget in Brussels next week.

He said leaks on the CAP details cannot be allowed to distract from their obligation to deliver on the CAP budget.

Speaking at the IFA-EU Commission civil dialogue event attended by 700 farmers in Kilkenny last Friday, Joe Healy delivered a strong message to Commissioner Hogan: “As Commissioner, your job is to fight like hell for an increase in the CAP Budget. And you cannot accept anything less in Brussels”.

Joe Healy said this is the biggest challenge Commissioner Hogan will face in Brussels and the outcome will have a major impact in Ireland, “Irish farmers are depending on the Commissioner to deliver.”

IFA has always been clear that direct payment should go to active farmers based on objective criteria around agricultural production, the farmer’s contribution to the economy, labour input and the provision of public goods. He said the proposals in the CAP details around a genuine farmer are a move in this direction.

In relation to new rules and requirements to secure direct payments, IFA President Joe Healy reminded Commissioner Hogan that he must deliver on his political commitment on simplification and this must be to the forefront of a new CAP.