EU Commissioner hopeful of agreement with Irish farmers

Europe's Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolo has said he is hopeful that Irish farmers will be happy with the changes being made to the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Irish Farmers' Association said today that it will mount a strong and united campaign of opposition to some of the changes which affect the food sector in Ireland.

Farmers are opposed to a move to bring in a flat-rate for the single payment which each farmer gets from the EU every year.

Commissioner Ciolos is to address the IFA's Annual General Meeting later today.

Speaking at Government buildings, the commissioner said there is still plenty of time to agree a compromise before the final deal is struck next year.

Mr Ciolos said: "We will see if this proposal can be approved but globally I hope that in the end Irish farmers will be happy with this Common Agricultural Policy more than the one we talked about at the beginning of 2010, for example."