Negotiations Must Intensify to Secure Solution to Reference Year Issue – IFA

IFA President John Bryan said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney must redouble his efforts at the highest political and official European level to have a wording inserted in the EU Commission’s proposals on October 12th that addresses the concerns of farmers in relation to the 2014 reference year.

Mr Bryan said he had held detailed discussions with senior members of Commissioner Ciolos’ cabinet last week. “While they are now fully aware of the serious implications for Irish farmers if their concerns relating to the 2014 reference year are not addressed, it will require further political intervention at the highest level to bring about an acceptable solution.”

He said, “The Minister came away from the Ploughing Championships last week in no doubt about the major disruption that a new reference year would cause to the land market. The Government must convince the Commission of the need to solve this issue.”

John Bryan said, “The Minister and his officials must devote all their resources at European level to delivering an outcome that avoids the potential for upheaval in our production base in the coming years.”

The IFA President said the leaked proposals would result in significant problems in the land market, weakening the position of active farmers who lease land. It would be totally unacceptable if active farmers were not able to maintain their land base and sustain their level of production.

John Bryan will travel to Brussels again next week to highlight farmer concerns in relation to CAP reform