“In 2016, BPS data showed that over 99% of Irish farmers received a payment of under €60,000,” Fianna Fáil spokesman on agriculture and food Charlie McConalogue said.

“This policy position will ensure that future CAP monies protect farmers on small hectares with entitlements. This follows the 10% cut in pillar 1 direct payments under the 2014-2020 CAP and the threat of funding cuts should Britain leave the EU.”

The news comes following the publication of CAP beneficiaries in 2016. The Irish Farmers Journal revealed who received the top 10 BPS payments in Ireland.

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Farm incomes

“75% of farm income currently derives from direct payments,” McConalogue said. “This Fianna Fáil policy sets out to protect the 99% of farmers who draw down on Basic Payments, while providing additional monies to increase existing payments.”

Similarly, Macra na Feirme also proposed a limit to individual CAP payments of €100,000 in its submission to the European Commission’s CAP consultation.

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