IFA welcomes 'important flexibilities' in CAP reform

EU Agricultural Ministers have agreed to proposals on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

It follows two days of intense talks in Brussels, chaired by the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

The Irish Farmers Association has said the deal contains "important flexibilities", but farmers will still lose a significant amount of money.

It has been reported that, after two days of difficult talks, the EU Council of Ministers reached a common position in the early hours of this morning.

Just two member states did not sign up to the negotiating package, with Slovenia and Slovakia opting out.

Speaking after the talks broke up, the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the agreement is a significant step forward in CAP reform.

One of the key concerns for Irish farmers was changes to the single farm payment to a flat rate payment system, and the proposals give some flexiblility to member states.

Speaking in Brussels last night, the President of the IFA John Bryan said the proposals contained "important flexibilities for Ireland" on issues like aproximation and greening, but he stressed that thousands of farmers will still lose money from their Single Farm Payment.

The deal will now have to be finalised by the EU Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission with an agreement set to be reached by June.