New IFA president says CAP negotiations will be major priority

THE new president of the Irish Farmers Association, John Bryan, who takes up office today, will highlight the negotiation of the common agricultural policy budget as a major challenge of his presidency.

“The CAP has been of vital importance to both producers and consumers. For an investment of about €100 for each citizen, European consumers enjoy a plentiful supply of high quality safe food at affordable prices,” he said.

Mr Bryan said the founding fathers of the European Community would be justifiably proud of the success of the CAP in ensuring food security and quality and in helping to bring down the average weekly spend of household income on food for families from 30% in 1980 to 13% today.