CAP changes will mean support for sheep sector, claims meat industry

CHANGES secured by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith in the Common Agricultural Policy health check deal have paved the way for a special support package for the sheep sector, according to Meat Industry Ireland (MII).

MII, which represents processors, said it is now vital that the Government brings forward necessary support measures without further delay.

Cormac Healy, MII spokesman, said the minister has been successful in securing CAP changes that in the future will allow unspent special farm payment funds to be used and —importantly— targeted at “economically vulnerable” types of farming.