The party’s leader, Micheál Martin TD, was addressing a meeting of the North Cork IFA county executive on Friday night.

Martin said he was encouraged to see indications that the BDGP will reopen to farmers, but insisted that it must be easy for farmers to apply for.

“In the recent budget we were pleased to see the reopening of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, something which we have been calling on for months.

“However, the Minister must ensure that the level of red tape does not act as a deterrent for farmers to apply for it.

“We also believe that any review of CAP should secure €200 per head payments on the first 20 cows under this scheme,” Martin said.

Price makers

The former Minister for Education and Minister for Health said the uncertainty of Brexit has created for farmers should not detract from the Government’s push to improve farm incomes.

“With Brexit on the horizon, every resource at government level must be used to safeguard farming interests. This is a red line issue for us and we will not tolerate any stalling by government.

“Fianna Fáil stands firmly on the side of the primary producer and ensure farmers are price makers and not price takers.

“Securing increased profitability levels along with fair prices and fair competition in all Agriculture sectors are the core policy priorities we support,” Martin concluded.

Only half of 2016 RDP budget spent so far

‘Any review of CAP should secure €200/ head’ for beef farmers

Fianna Fáil has again called for the payments under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) to be increased to €200/cow on the first 20 cows in a farmer’s herd.