World trade talks - Farmers have ample time to adapt

There were aspects of the recent agricultural deals for which the Government negotiators should be congratulated. Ireland will receive €14 billion from the European Union’s budget over the next seven years, despite being one of the wealthiest member states.

For the remainder of the decade this country will continue to receive more from the EU than it contributes.

Despite determined British efforts to change the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), it has been left intact until 2014, and the Irish farmers will continue to benefit from direct payments totalling €10.4bn and a further €1.9bn in rural development spending.