Any cuts in the Basic Payment would be a shocking failure
IFA President Tim Cullinan said that it is vital that Taoiseach Micheál Martin takes a strong stand at the marathon EU negotiations in Brussels which commenced at 3 pm today.
“Farmers need the Taoiseach to stand firm on the CAP. As outlined by IFA over the weekend, the latest draft proposals show a €5bn reduction in the allocation for the Rural Development (Pillar II) compared to the draft document before the talks,” he said.
“This is unacceptable, and there are also real concerns about the allocation to Pillar one which supports the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). The EU allocation for Pillar I must ensure that the BPS is at least maintained for every farmer during the transition period and beyond” he said.
“IFA wants an increase in payments to account for inflation, and any extra asks on farmers. If we end up with cuts in the BPS it would be a shocking failure for the new Government” he said.
“IFA believes that the current allocation for Pillar I will be insufficient to maintain the BPS even at its current levels. The time for fudging figures has long passed. The Taoiseach must be crystal clear on this point before he leaves Brussels,” he said.`
“Minister Dara Calleary is attending his first Agriculture Council meeting today, and it is vital that he also delivers a strong Message about CAP funding,” he said.
