The current proposals by The European Commission surrounding the possible merging of CAP funding with other funds has caused undue stress and worry for farmers at a time when many are literally struggling for their very survival.
Aontú Senator Sarah O’ Reilly says
“My phone has been hopping this morning with farmers who are really knocked sideways by this. Like me, they realise it is just a proposal and just being mooted but it is very unsettling nonetheless”
“Uncertainty is really damaging for any sector, and farmers are unduly exposed to uncertainly”.
“I find it very disconcerting that the budget for CAP payments would be lumped in in with other budgets and the specific funding would no longer be a standalone payment.
We know that anything that is not totally ringfenced can be eroded and reduced and that really is the nub of the issue.
Currently our farmers receive in the region of €2 Billion but there are fears that under these proposals that could be reduced by anything up to 30%”.
“Now, in my constituency of Cavan Monaghan farmers are already disadvantaged and are running to stand still as they have to contend with unique challenges. Young famers are not seeing farming as a means of providing a viable future for them and they are leaving. As it is, Cavan and Monaghan farmers who are farming some of the poorest land in the Northeast are receiving several thousands of euros less in CAP payments than their Dublin counterparts.
The very purpose of CAP payments is to sustain those who work on the land, particularly those farming in challenging conditions, the bad, rocky, wet land, where every inch of progress is hard-earned.
“The EU Commission itself has classified the North and West of Ireland as a ‘lagging region’ based on GDP and poverty levels, so no wonder famers in this region are staggered by today’s news.”.
“Farmers are STRANGLED by paperwork, we know that famers’ mental health is suffering and no wonder, when they are absolutely fighting for their very existence “
We need our Government and our Minister for Agriculture to put IRISH famers first and fight these proposals.
“We hear lots from this Government about its self-professed commitment to rural Ireland.
Now is the perfect time to SHOW IT.”
