Fischler tables new compromise for CAP reform
But the Irish farm lobby was almost entirely unhappy with the contents, particularly in relation to the dairy sector.
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh, during a break in negotiations, said substantial progress had been made in a number of areas.
He said he believed an agreement could be finalised and that Ireland could get a good deal from a very weak position starting out.
The talks were adjourned until Wednesday.
IFA president John Dillon said the latest proposals were only a minor improvement and Mr Walsh would have to hold out against milk price cuts.
On beef, sheep and grain, Mr Dillon said the issue now was the elimination of red tape and bureaucracy, which Dr Fischler had promised to eliminate.
John Tyrrell, director general, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), said the third compromise paper does not provide a basis for agreement.
The Irish dairy sector is facing support price cuts of 21% for milk, which is only 55% compensated. In addition, dairy farmers will have their direct payments cut by a further 5% from 2007 due to proposed modulation.
Furthermore, the Commission continues to propose an annual limit of 30,000 tonnes for sales of butter intervention.
However, the ICSA, the only farm group here to support full decoupling (the separation of subsidies from production) was in optimistic mood.
John Deegan, president, congratulated Mr Walsh on “successfully orchestrating” the condition necessary to enable the full decoupling of livestock subsidies.
The progress of the negotiations was positive in that full decoupling was now a very real option for Irish farmers and the only workable one. He urged other farm organisations to accept that this was the only way forward.
But the ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke said the minister has no alternative but to object to the plans.
