Walshe rejects alternatives to basis for calculating single farm payment

THE president of the Irish Farmers Association Padraig Walshe has strongly rejected suggestions from Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith that Ireland should examine alternatives to the historical basis used for calculating the single farm payment.

He said Mr Smith should come out strongly defending the single farm payment and make it abundantly clear to his European colleagues that in calculating Ireland’s payment he is not prepared to give away one cent in the 2013 CAP negotiations.

Mr Walshe said the single payment post-2013 must continue to be directed to supporting active farmers.

In addition, Ireland’s single payment budget must be fully protected and this means protecting the historical basis of calculation.

Alternatives, which would deliver a reduced level of single farm payment for Irish farmers, must be rejected, he said.

Mr Walshe said Mr Smith and the Government must strongly defend the record of the CAP in the 2013 negotiations and insist on the maintenance of a fully funded index-linked budget post 2013.

He said the IFA made a detailed submission to the minister last October setting down the key principles on the future structure of the CAP post-2013.

The priority for the Government is to secure sufficient CAP funding for Ireland to ensure the continuation of sustainable and viable food production.

Mr Walshe said this must include an annual allocation of €1.5bn for the single farm payment and €400m for rural development.

The single payment post-2013 must continue to be directed to supporting active farmers, calculated on a historical basis as currently operates and there must be no further cuts in it through modulation.

The IFA is also seeking an additional payment for sustainable grass-based production, and a production linked payment for vital systems including suckler beef and sheep.