CAP payment reform ‘unacceptable’

EUROPEAN UNION agriculture policy will be shaped more and more by budgetary concerns, Irish farmers have been told.

Ireland East Fine Gael MEP Mairéad McGuinness predicted the move when speaking at the annual general meeting of Kildare/West Wicklow IFA.

She said the European Commission proposals, part of the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check, would, if implemented, result in a greater part of the single farm payment being used to fund rural development measures.