Livestock farmers split over EU proposal for area-based payments
But Ireland’s livestock farmers are seriously divided over the EU proposal to “decouple” supports for the livestock section from numbers of livestock on each farm.
Two of the main livestock farmer organisations have adopted opposing stances in discussions on the CAP mid- term review proposals.
The largest farming body, IFA, and the specialist livestock farmers organisation, ICSA, go head-to-head in the discussions which now start in earnest following publication by the EU Commission of its feared mid-term review proposals.
They differ mainly on the Commission proposal that supports for livestock be decoupled from the current production base to an area base. The IFA have taken a stand against “severe dismantling of the fundamental farm supports in the CAP” which, they claim, would result from area based support.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) have campaigned for years for a transfer from the current production base to an area base.
They say that the proposals have the potential substantially to reduce bureaucracy and lead to more market-oriented farming.
ICMSA will review the proposals, published yesterday, before commenting on them within a few days.
IFA president John Dillon said what was proposed was a clear breach of the Berlin Agreement, and he called on the Government to mount a major diplomatic initiative to defend the basic principles of the CAP.
He said that both government parties had given a commitment to the IFA prior to the general election to reject modulation and decoupling of livestock premia to a system based on area-based payments. He claims that the change would be particularly damaging for the beef sector, such an important sector in Irish farming.
But ICSA president Charlie Reilly said the proposal offers streamlined payments to livestock farmers, with the potential to reduce the current level of bureaucracy, which had become a nightmare for farmers.
However, he is opposed to the proposal to cut support by 20% for those receiving premia in excess of €5,000 per annum. Instead, any proposed cut should be targeted at those in receipt of large amounts, such as producers with premia support of up to €300,000 per annum.
He said formulae for new entrants to farming, and farmers in enterprises which have traditionally delivered low levels of premia, were critical issues in considering the proposals.
