Farmers urge Govt to oppose CAP reform

The ICMSA has urged the Government to strongly resist EU Agriculture Minister Franz Fischler's proposed reform of the Common Agriculture Policy.

Mr Fischler has proposed breaking the link between subsidies and production levels and instead giving farmers a single annual pay-out based on farm size.

The subsidies would also be conditional on the farmer meeting environmental and food safety standards.

The ICMSA claimed the proposals would further devastate Ireland's agriculture industry and said the Government must honour its pledge to oppose the reforms.