Coveney’s Budget wish list

Was Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney pointing to the shape of next month’s budget in his wish-list speech from this week’s informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Lithuania?

He expressed support for maintenance of family farms, which he described as “the heartbeat of EU farming structures”. But there would have to be changes in farm structures and a greater focus on competitiveness, sustainability and innovation, he said — all trends the minister can accelerate with well thought-out Budget measures.

Minister Coveney said some of the measures included in the reformed CAP will contribute positively to bringing more young people into Irish farming. Positively favouring younger farmers was one of his priorities during the CAP Reform negotiations.