Too much red-tape around CAP: Phil Hogan

The EU goes over the top in the disproportionate way it deals with farmers who have small holdings, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has said. 

He told Oireachtas members that penalties for these farmers are not fair and need to be examined. Addressing the Joint Committee on Agriculture, he said inspections are a contentious but hugely important issue.

“As part of the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy, I am looking at this area very carefully to see what we can do, especially for smaller producers and small farmers,” he said.