“Blind convergence” will cause huge problems, according to Midlands-Northwest MEP Mairead McGuinness, referring to 100% convergence or flattening of farm payments. She told the Irish Farmers Journal in Brussels this week that the impacts on different farmers and individuals need to be looked at.

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“You could have somebody who is fully reliant on farming as a family losing out hugely to somebody where farming is not their main enterprise.

“It’s not going to be easy to do it and there will be lots of examples of unfairness in the system, but to say that convergence won’t happen or shouldn’t happen… it is going to happen,” she said.

Maria Walsh, MEP for the Midlands-Northwest, said she doesn’t know how 100% convergence will work but a “fine balance” needs to be found.

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Blind convergence will cause huge problems – McGuinness

Midlands Northwest MEP and first vice-president of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness gives her views on convergence.