Winds of change blowing as new era begins

DIRECT EU support for farmers under the CAP reform is going through the most radical change in farming history — payment not linked to production — with farmers concentrating on producing for the market.

The policy makes a lot more sense economically. Farming to qualify for premia payments instead of producing to meet consumer demand was more than a bit phoney. That is what farmers were forced to do for a survival under the former regime over the past decade. A new leaf is now being turned bringing with it major change for the decade ahead, but it would be foolhardy to believe the formula adopted for Ireland will be a panacea for all farmers.

It will being with it serious difficulties for many land owners.