18/01/2012

IFA Says CAP Talks 'Vital' For Recovery

The IFA has said the upcoming negotiations on farming subsidies, or CAP payments, are vital to achieve growth in the agriculture and food sector.

Addressing the 57th Annual General Meeting of the Irish Farmers Association in the RDS in Dublin on Wednesday morning, IFA President John Bryan said a successful outcome to the negotiations was crucial to economic recovery.

John Bryan said: “The improvement in farm incomes in 2011 will underpin economic activity in rural Ireland, and provide the confidence for farmers to invest in growing their businesses.

"However, even in a positive year, over 70% of farm income was made up of EU and national supports, and any reduction would have a very negative impact on incomes and investment decisions at farm level."

Mr Bryan said that since Ireland’s joining of the European Economic Community in 1973, the CAP had played a pivotal role in supporting the farm family structure and maintaining active, vibrant communities.

With close on €2bn of EU funding coming into Ireland annually, the Government must prioritise the maintenance of the full envelope under all pillars in this reform, Mr Bryan said.

(DW)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 August 2017
Over 10,000 HSA Inspection And Investigations Carried Out In 2016
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) carried out more than 10,000 inspections and investigations in 2016, with almost 6,500 inspections in high-risk farming, construction and the fishing sectors. The numbers were revealed in the HSA's 2016 Annual Report, which outlines major activities, achievements and outcomes over the course of the year.
02 April 2015
Organic Farming Scheme To Launch
A new Organic Farming Scheme is to open shortly, it has been announced. The initiative is said to offer "significantly increased" rates of aid to Organic farmers, both in conversion and when fully established.
05 January 2012
IFA Say Potato Growers Face 'Wipeout'
The Irish farmer's union has slammed retailers for "pocketing" the majority of profits on potato sales, which they claim is threatening to drive farmers into bankruptcy.
09 February 2010
Farmers Issues Warning To Retailers
The president of the Irish Farmers Association has warned the Iirsh State's retailers the future of fresh produce growers in Ireland is under threat from "unsustainable price pressure".
03 December 2014
Irish Family Farming 'Under Pressure' - IFA
The Irish and European tradition of family farming is under "unprecedented pressure" according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). IFA President Eddie Downey made the comments as he was speaking this week at an international conference in Dublin organised by IFA and Teagasc to celebrate the UN International Year of Family Farming.