ICMSA rejects CAP proposals

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association is calling on the Taoiseach to issue a public statement of support to the Minister of Agriculture ahead of Monday's CAP renegotiations.

The current proposals will devalue Ireland's national herd by €750m and deal a major blow to the Irish farming community.

ICMSA president Pat O'Rourke says that the Taoiseach's public support will strengthen Minister Joe Walsh's hand in the negotiations, and may even result in a reversal of the proposals.

"Well it's absolutely crucial that we reject the proposals," says O’Rourke. "Because it is going to devalue the national herd by three quarters of a billion euro."

ICMSA president Pat O'Rourke says that the proposals if passed would devastate Irish farming.

"It will mean for individual farmers that they will receive a 20% cut at a time when we already have our income down by 20%," he says.

"It is devastating news for many thousands of farm families. And they are all absolutely determined and will fully support the Minister for Agriculture." He added: "There are many are 130,000 of farm families who's future is on the line and Monday's meeting is crucial."