Farmers told to stick to quota

EUROPE will not be offering a soft landing for superlevy-bound Irish farmers, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos confirmed at yesterday’s IFA annual general meeting in Dublin.

Dairy farmer Teddy Cashman asked Mr Ciolos if the EU authorities might yet consider gradually adjusting the current regime of penalties. Other farm spokespeople had made similar requests at an earlier briefing in Government Buildings.

Mr Ciolos said: “It is not up to the Agriculture Commission to make this decision. We have already been given our decision on this subject from the Council of Europe.