Government urged to be ‘steadfast’ in its opposition to CAP budget cuts

Industry leaders in the Irish agri-food sector are in unanimous agreement on the need to resist proposed cuts to the EU’s agriculture budget.

With the presidency currently residing in Cyprus, sitting EU Council president Herman Von Rompuy has proposed significantly deeper cuts of €74.5bn in the seven-year budget, with €22bn of these cuts to come in agriculture alone.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney was quick to reassure Irish farmers that he, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste would all prioritise the issue of Ireland’s need to retain the current agriculture spend at EU council meetings over the coming week to 10 days.