ICOS urge rejection of CAP reform

DAIRY farmers will lose €348m, if compromise CAP reform proposals are fully implemented, a farm lobby claims.

The warning from Donal Cashman, the president of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), came as European Union farm ministers prepare to resume negotiations this Wednesday on the latest reform package tabled by Commissioner Franz Fischler.

ICOS estimates that the proposals, if fully introduced, could cost dairy farmers a net income reduction of €162m annually after allowing for compensation of about €186m.