Macra president condemns EU move

Macra na Feirme national president Seamus Phelan has slammed the EU Commission’s proposals for the detailed operation of their proposed de-coupled support system.

Mr Phelan, who attended a Department of Agriculture briefing last week on the proposals, said that they would be detrimental for young farmers and new entrants to farming.

“The proposal where a young farmer hasn’t been actively farming for the entirety of the commission’s three reference years, will not receive their full entitlements and will be forced to apply to the reserve, is simply ridiculous ” said Phelan.