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.