Irish CAP plans closer
About 100 submissions are believed to have been filed, on how the CAP reform should be implemented in this country.
This month sees the next phase of the process regional public information meetings organised by the Department of Agriculture, at which senior officials come face to face with farmers to discuss the way forward. These should shed light on the likely outcomes for individual land owners. Heated discussion is likely on the predicted outcome for farmers who concentrated on heifer beef production; suckler farmers who sold weanlings without claiming the SBP; specialist dairy farmers who sold calves and claimed no direct payments; farmers who leased land; and early retirement farmers. It could become unviable for some of these farmers to farm their land if they are left without adequate premia entitlements.
It is hoped that an Irish CAP format will be decided by year end, but Ireland has until next August to submit the details to the European Commission.
Confusion over the issues involved is reflected in the division among farmer organisations over the best options.
ICMSA now appears to favour keeping some of the direct payments coupled to livestock, although most cattle farmers seem to favour complete decoupling.
With major differences of opinion in IFA's broadly based membership, the Association is not expected to state its official policy position for some time yet.
The Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association have consistently favoured full decoupling.
