Active farmers are not a priority in CAP reform talks, says Macra chief

Active farmers are not a priority in the ongoing CAP reform talks, says Macra na Feirme’s agricultural affairs committee chairman Sean Coughlan.

The Macra spokesman said CAP reform still lacks an effective mechanism to deliver Single Farm Payment to active farmers. In its present draft form the revised CAP does not do enough to ensure farm payments prioritise active farmers over land owners.

Mr Coughlan said: “The CAP must facilitate land being released from persons who don’t want to engage in agricultural production and encourage it to become available to active farmers who want to produce food and grow their businesses.