The CAP budget must be the top priority for new Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Friday's EU Council meeting, IFA President Tim Cullinan has said.
"The Taoiseach has to be crystal clear that there can be no cut to any farmer payments. While progress has been made on the budget, the IFA estimates that the CAP budget is 9% lower, in real terms, than the budget for the previous seven years,” Cullinan explained.
More measures
The IFA president is particularly concerned about the allocation for direct payments in pillar one. “The current proposal will not be sufficient to even sustain the Basic Payment Scheme at the same level as 2020.
"It is not sustainable to expect farmers to take on more and more measures for the public good while receiving less funding. If the EU wants us to do more, then they must increase funding in line with any extra asks."
Avoid distraction
Cullinan warned that recent political events must not distract from the importance of the meeting this weekend.
Arriving at the summit, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he looked forward to “working to maintain the essentials of our multiannual financial framework in terms of the Common Agricultural Policy, in terms of the green new deal, and in terms of arriving at a fair and balanced agreement with the recovery fund as well”.
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The CAP budget must be the top priority for new Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Friday's EU Council meeting, IFA President Tim Cullinan has said.
"The Taoiseach has to be crystal clear that there can be no cut to any farmer payments. While progress has been made on the budget, the IFA estimates that the CAP budget is 9% lower, in real terms, than the budget for the previous seven years,” Cullinan explained.
More measures
The IFA president is particularly concerned about the allocation for direct payments in pillar one. “The current proposal will not be sufficient to even sustain the Basic Payment Scheme at the same level as 2020.
"It is not sustainable to expect farmers to take on more and more measures for the public good while receiving less funding. If the EU wants us to do more, then they must increase funding in line with any extra asks."
Avoid distraction
Cullinan warned that recent political events must not distract from the importance of the meeting this weekend.
Arriving at the summit, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he looked forward to “working to maintain the essentials of our multiannual financial framework in terms of the Common Agricultural Policy, in terms of the green new deal, and in terms of arriving at a fair and balanced agreement with the recovery fund as well”.
Read more
‘Farmers are back in control as factories chase stock’
Minister Calleary: a voice for farmers and the west
Watch: 'we're not forcing farmers to be more sustainable' - Commissioner
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