IFA: Proposed changes to CAP must be changed

The Irish Farmers Association stated today that some of the proposed Common Agriculture Policy changes will not work for Ireland and must be changed.

A flat-rate payment system and cuts to the Single Farm Payment are among the measures being put forward by the European Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos.

However, IFA president John Bryan said that the current level of subsidies must be maintained to achieve further growth in the sector and to protect farm incomes, production, exports and jobs.

Mr Bryan said that the IFA will deploy all its resources to oppose the plans.