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An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted that the increased funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is still not acceptable to Ireland.
Funding for the next CAP budget was increased to €391.4bn, with €290.7bn set aside for Pillar I and €100.7bn set aside for Pillar II. Up until the increase was announced it had been expected that funding for CAP would be cut.
European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski heralded the increase as a victory for European farmers.
We can settle for nothing less
Speaking following a meeting of the Members of the European Council last Friday 19 June, Varadkar said more funding was still needed.
“I said that what was now on the table was not acceptable to Ireland and does not meet the test of ensuring adequate funding into the future,” Varadkar said.
“Our farmers are experiencing considerable difficulties in exports with prices collapsing as a result of COVID, global disruption to trade routes, Brexit and increased competition from third countries.
“A strong and properly funded CAP is needed if we are to achieve this and we can settle for nothing less.”
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