Macra seeks view on CAP reforms

MACRA’S National Agricultural Affairs Committee said last week the only viable beef sector decoupling option is to have full decoupling, or retain the slaughter premium and decouple all other premia.

The Committee also decided to hold three regional information meetings to outline the CAP reforms in detail.

At these meetings, they will also seek the views of young farmers on issues such as trading of entitlements; the decoupling options in the beef, sheep and cereals sectors and establishment of the initial national reserve.

The meetings were held last week in the Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire, Co Cork, and Durkin’s Bar and Restaurant, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

They will conclude next Monday (July 21) in the Lord Bagenal Inn, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow.

Discussions at the meetings on trading of entitlements considered whether to allow free for trading or ban all leasing and claw back 25% from sales of entitlements, with a view to creating an ongoing reserve of entitlements for new entrants.

The third option is to ban trading, with all entitlements going through a centrally administered national restructuring pool.

National Agricultural Affairs Committee Chairman Raymond Brady has warned against development of a whole new layer of “sofa” producers who would lease out their land and entitlements.