Farmers Cannot Do More with Less CAP Funding

Speaking after a meeting in Dublin yesterday with Elisabeth Werner, Director General of DG Agri from the EU Commission, IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle said the next CAP has to put active farmers and food production at its core. That won’t happen unless there is a CAP budget to at least cover inflation.

“Securing a proper CAP budget has to be the number one priority. What we have on the table at the minute, with a potential cut of over 20% in dedicated CAP funds, simply isn’t acceptable.”

“It’s evidence of the disconnect between the Commission and farmers on the ground. Ireland is particularly disadvantaged with the proposed allocation method. Greater flexibility must be provided given our unique profile and reliance on agriculture,” she said.

“The Commission talk of agriculture being a strategically important sector; of the need to boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of the sector; and yet they cut the CAP budget,” Alice Doyle said.

“We made it clear that transitionary provisions need to be in place, even if they are not required to ensure there are no payment gaps,” she said.

IFA also emphasised the need for proper simplification at farm level and positive measures to encourage generational renewal.