Safe food will ensure CAP is maintained

EU taxpayers are prepared to support agriculture under the new decoupled format, in return for a constant supply of safe food and a clean environment, says Department of Agriculture and Food Secretary General John Malone.

As long as these are delivered, the CAP will continue, he told farmers at the Limerick IFA AGM.

On cross compliance requirements for the decoupled Single Farm Payment, he said, "We in the Department want it to be as simple and as clear cut as possible." He said the challenge lies "between having a fair and a transparent operation for farmers and at the same time discharging our responsibility to the EU."