The European Union’s plans to amend the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and encourage more eco-friendly farming could hit Irish farm incomes, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.
More than €10 billion in subsidies to Irish farmers, covering the 2023 to 2027 period, are in jeopardy as ministers discuss reforming CAP.
“If the EU was serious about more environmental ambition, they should put up more funding instead of taking 20 to 30 per cent of every farmer’s existing basic payment,” explained IFU president Tim Cullinan.
Mr Cullinan said the outcome of the talks would affect the viability of thousands of farmers.
“There is no option but to keep these so-called eco schemes to a minimum as it is clear that they will cost famers money and compound the impact on farmers receiving higher CAP payments,” he added.
Ireland should be given credit for already introduced measures supporting rural development and environmentally friendly actions when it comes to finalising subsidies, according to the IFU.
“European farmers have to comply with numerous conditions to receive their payments and these are being ratcheted up again as part of this reform. Farmers are being asked to do more and more for less money,” Mr Cullinan pointed out.