Fairer deal CAPS off reform negotiations

Fine Gael Sligo North Leitrim Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture Food and the Marine Michael Comiskey, has today (Thursday) warmly welcomed and commended the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr Simon Coveney TD, his Department and Presidency representatives for securing endorsement of the political agreement on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).   Agreement had been sought between the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission.   The deal will see €12 billion in EU support for Irish agriculture over the next seven years.

“Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was one of the stated primary objectives for the Government at the commencement of the term of the EU Presidency – that objective has now been achieved.  

“CAP has its roots in the 1950s and has been instrumental in encouraging better productivity in the food chain, ensuring fair standard of living to the agricultural community, market stabilization and ensuring the availability of food supplies to EU consumers at reasonable price.

“Significant modernisation of the agricultural sector has taken place since the inception of CAP, this coupled with increased environmental challenges, necessitated the need for a reformed fit for purpose CAP.

“From the perspective of the majority of Irish farmers the deal is one which contains many positive aspects.    In particular, €103 million per year will effectively transfer from higher recipients to lower recipients. This means that approximately 60,000 farmer across the country will receive higher payments from January 2015.  

“This is particularly important for farmers in North West where payment have been traditionally lower, this fairer distribution of funds will mean that a greater proportion of framers stand to gain from the transfer. While the exact allocation will have to be worked out at a national level it is envisaged that farmers on the lowest level could gain up to 35%.

“The direct payment system is not just vital to the sustainability of Irish farms but also to the wider rural community in which famers are employers and consumers.   The beneficial effects of this deal to local communities cannot be understated.

“The package is also a positive result for young farmers, as a mandatory 25% top-up payment for farmers under 40 has been agreed.   This measure is specifically designed to encourage younger people in to the sector, to bring with them new ideas and renew enthusiasm.

“Many of the specific measures announced in this package apply to Pillar I, I will continue to work with Minister Coveney to ensure that Schemes under Pillar II and the Rural Development Fund deliver in a similarly fair manner.