Connacht Could Lose €460m Under Current CAP Proposals

The five counties in Connacht could lose €460m in the next round of CAP, unless the current proposals are changed. That was the stark message at the IFA Connacht regional meeting held in Claremorris last night.

IFA President Francie Gorman said the next two months will be critical in the campaign to secure a CAP budget that will underpin the future viability of Irish agriculture.

“I would encourage all farmers to visit the IFA CAP Hub (www.ifa.ie/cap); come along to the remaining meetings; and inform themselves of the scale of the proposed cuts, and how IFA are campaigning to protect Irish family farms. And then to engage with their local, national and European political representatives that it simply isn’t good enough. More CAP funding is needed.”

The Presidents of COPA-COGECA visited Ireland earlier this week to coincide with the AgFish Council of Ministers meeting held in Dublin. IFA organised a meeting with the Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne to discuss the CAP budget and the changes that are needed.

“Farmers must be made aware of the economic impact on their family farms, and also to their rural communities. CAP payments are a crucial part of what makes Irish agriculture and rural Ireland tick, and any cuts to CAP would seriously jeopardise the future viability of family farms and rural economies,” the IFA President said.

IFA Connacht Regional Chair Brendan Golden said for his own county of Mayo, the losses could amount to €131m.

“Restoring the CAP budget must be a priority for the Irish Government, as it currently holds the EU Presidency during this crucial period. Our Government must use this opportunity to steer the debate and achieve an outcome that will provide farmers and the wider rural economy with the resilience needed to tackle the challenges ahead.”

IFA will be working through political channels here and via our office in Brussels to highlight the importance of a realistic level of support for our largest indigenous sector.

See the remaining regional meeting dates and venues below. All meetings will start at 8pm.

IFA REGION	DATE	VENUE
Munster	Mon, September 21st	Rochestown Park Hotel, Co. Cork.
Ulster/North Leinster	Tues, September 22nd	Kilmore Hotel, Co. Cavan
South Leinster	Mon, September 28th	Clanard Court Hotel, Athy, Co. Kildare