IFA outlines key priorities to be achieved under CAP Health Check

THE key priorities for Ireland in the CAP Health Check are no modulation cuts to the single farm payment, a loosening of milk quota restrictions for Irish dairy farmers and a €30 per ewe sheep maintenance payment, according to IFA president Pádraig Walshe.

With the EU farm council meeting on November 19 and 20 set to decide on the Health Check, Mr Walshe said the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, must go all out to secure delivery on these vital issues for Ireland.

“Ireland is totally opposed to any increase in compulsory modulation. A modulation cut to the single farm payment is a direct income cut for Irish farmers. Already farmers have suffered an initial 3% cut in their SFP from the national reserve and force majeure,” said Mr Walshe.

He said there is already a 5% modulation cut per annum taken off every farmer’s single farm payment of more than €5,000, and farmers would not tolerate any more modulation cuts and see the money wasted on useless projects.

In view of the EU policy to slash dairy market supports, Mr Walshe said the only option for dairy farmers is an increased milk quota and an update in Ireland’s butterfat adjustment.

He said, while speaking at the IFA Sheep Farmers’ Conference in Tullamore 10 days ago, that it was made abundantly clear to Mr Smith that he must deliver a €30 per ewe sheep maintenance payment, plus an additional payment in hill areas from the CAP Health Check.

The IFA president said it is well recognised and accepted across Europe that the sheep sector is in crisis and a €30 sheep maintenance payment is essential to protect its future.