Farmers Association Endorses Position on CAP Consultation
IRELAND - Following extensive consultation with thousands of farmers at every County Executive and National Committee level, the Executive Council of the Irish Farmers Assosiation (IFA) fully endorsed what the Association described as a firm and balanced position on over 40 issues raised in the Department of Agriculture’s CAP consultation document.IFA President John Bryan said the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney must use objective criteria extensively to ensure that active, productive farmers are prioritised for all payments available under Pillar I and Pillar II. The Association is determined that Minister Coveney must provide significant national funding and unused CAP funds to support vulnerable sectors.
The IFA Council was clear that the Minister cannot move up to 15 per cent of funds between pillars, or take eight per cent from Pillar I for coupled payments. Subject to the Minister delivering national funds and other savings for farmers in the CAP implementation, the IFA Council has agreed that not more than three per cent of SFP payments, with a matching amount from Pillar II, could be used as part of a package of measures to support vulnerable sectors to improve productivity and viability.
In addition, the Council agreed to a strong TAMS programme for Dairy Equipment and on-farm grain storage and handling.
John Bryan said: “Critical to an acceptable outcome to the CAP implementation is national co-financing. I am again calling on Minister Coveney to ensure 50:50 co-financing of Pillar II payments, with national top-ups, is delivered.”
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