Farmers to fight on for grant levels as Ciolos admits changes inevitable

IRISH farmers will continue to seek to maintain current CAP payment levels, following the revelation by European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos yesterday in Dublin that systemic changes were almost inevitable.

IFA president John Bryan reminded the Commissioner that the existing CAP model has successfully maintained Ireland’s productive base and preserved the farm family structure in every rural parish across the country. He also noted that the present payment is already delivering on the EU's food security objectives.

“The CAP underpins the sustainable production of high quality food with guarantees on food traceability and safety, and the highest animal welfare standards. It also rewards farmers for providing non-market environmental public goods, including biodiversity and water quality.