A cut in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) would be a shocking failure by the new government, IFA president Tim Cullinan has warned.
The IFA statement comes as An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary arrived in Brussels to discuss the EU budget and recovery fund.
Cullinan said: “Farmers need the Taoiseach to stand firm on the CAP [Common Agricultural Policy]. The latest draft proposals show a €5bn reduction in the allocation for Pilar II compared to the draft document before the talks.
“This is unacceptable, and there are also real concerns about the allocation to Pillar I which supports the Basic Payment Scheme. The EU allocation for Pillar I must ensure that the BPS is at least maintained for every farmer during the transition period and beyond.”
Crystal clear
The IFA has said that the current allocation for Pillar I will be insufficient to maintain the BPS even at its current levels. Cullinan has called for an increase in payments to account for inflation, and any extra asks on farmers.
“The time for fudging figures has long passed. The Taoiseach must be crystal clear on this point before he leaves Brussels. Minister Dara Calleary is attending his first Agriculture Council meeting today, and it is vital that he also delivers a strong Message about CAP funding.
Read more
Taoiseach and agriculture minister in Brussels
New land designations will have major implications – INHFA
EU’s Farm to Fork not a ‘straitjacket’ for farmers – Calleary
A cut in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) would be a shocking failure by the new government, IFA president Tim Cullinan has warned.
The IFA statement comes as An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary arrived in Brussels to discuss the EU budget and recovery fund.
Cullinan said: “Farmers need the Taoiseach to stand firm on the CAP [Common Agricultural Policy]. The latest draft proposals show a €5bn reduction in the allocation for Pilar II compared to the draft document before the talks.
“This is unacceptable, and there are also real concerns about the allocation to Pillar I which supports the Basic Payment Scheme. The EU allocation for Pillar I must ensure that the BPS is at least maintained for every farmer during the transition period and beyond.”
Crystal clear
The IFA has said that the current allocation for Pillar I will be insufficient to maintain the BPS even at its current levels. Cullinan has called for an increase in payments to account for inflation, and any extra asks on farmers.
“The time for fudging figures has long passed. The Taoiseach must be crystal clear on this point before he leaves Brussels. Minister Dara Calleary is attending his first Agriculture Council meeting today, and it is vital that he also delivers a strong Message about CAP funding.
Read more
Taoiseach and agriculture minister in Brussels
New land designations will have major implications – INHFA
EU’s Farm to Fork not a ‘straitjacket’ for farmers – Calleary
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