Farmers’ group rejects CAP reform proposals

Proposals by the European Commission to reform the Common Agricultural Policy are unacceptable to Ireland, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.

John Bryan, the IFA president, speaking yesterday on the eve of the National Ploughing Championships at Heathpark, New Ross, Co Wexford, said the proposed reforms would decimate the incomes of tens of thousands of the most productive farmers.

They will also slash the rural development funding that is critical to vulnerable sectors and regions, he said.

Anger and frustration among farmers was growing, said Mr Bryan, who warned that the commission was heading for a major confrontation with Ireland unless the issues were addressed.

“There is huge solidarity to fight for the future of CAP funding and the retention of farm schemes, both of which play a vital role in supporting farm production and incomes.

“We will be emphasising this to politicians who visit the IFA stand at the ploughing championships over the coming days,” he said.

Mr Bryan said politicians must understand that agricultural production was the centre of the rural economy and the evidence of this is the 1,300 trade stands that will exhibit a range of equipment and machinery in New Ross.

“Previous cuts to farm schemes have been totally disproportionate, and are now hitting the lowest income sector of agriculture hard.

“Farmers are sending a message to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney that he cannot cut the schemes any further.”

Mr Bryan said farm families were already finding it extremely difficult to cope with extra imposed costs and taxes, which, he said, were impacting negatively on incomes and competitiveness in the private productive sector.

“The consequences of the disastrous summer and the escalating input costs has put massive pressure on farm incomes, and the Government have failed totally in its promise to farmers to address the dominance of the retail multiples through effective regulation,” he said.

Mr Bryan said a protest in Dublin on Oct 9 — Fight for the Future of Farming — will highlight the escalating cost/price squeeze on farm incomes.

It will also send a clear message to the Government on the need to defend the full CAP budget in Europe and retain national funding for income-related farm schemes.

The IFA leader said he was heartened by the backing from the wider agri-food industry for strong action to defend the €1.8bn EU funding for CAP and rural development programmes.

Farming supports 300,000 jobs and €9bn of exports in the economy but the sector will not be able to reach its growth potential if farm incomes are not defended and unless the retailers are challenged, Mr Bryan said.

The future of our rural economy depends on a viable farming sector. The “day of action” on Oct 9 would be an opportunity for all farm families to take a stand and secure their future, he said.