Farmers call for rejection of radical CAP reform

FARMERS last night urged the Government to reject a radical plan to reform the Common Agricultural Policy which will cut annual farm incomes by up to 20%.

The Irish Farmers Association said the reforms, outlined yesterday by EU Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler, would cost farmers 300m euro a year and would result in hundreds of job losses.

At present, farmers receive a cheque in the post based on size of herd or the amount of cereal produced, irrespective of demand for the products. The new plan will replace this with a single payment based on the size of a farmer’s holding and past income.