EU financial supports have to be addressed if the farm family model of EU farming is to be maintained, IFA President Eddie Downey has told EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan.

At the first formal meeting between the IFA and the Commissioner in Brussels, the wide ranging discussion covered the weakening dairy situation as a result of the Russian ban; the immediate approval of the Irish RDP; the future of CAP and simplification; trade deals and opening new markets for pork and beef; and retailer regulation.

At the meeting, IFA Dairy Chairman Sean O Leary highlighted the negative impact the Russian ban was having on EU milk markets and the need for realistic intervention support prices, targeted export refunds and an extension to the exit time for APS. O Leary told the Commissioner that the mistakes of the delayed EU dairy market intervention in 2009 were catastrophic for producers and early intervention with realistic market supports was now critical.

Commissioner Hogan reassured the IFA that he was monitoring the situation closely and would use all market tools and the budget at his disposal to help stabilise the situation if needed.

Downey raised the need to get Ireland's RDP plan approved as soon as possible. Flexibilities for farmers wishing to participate in the new GLAS scheme were discussed and the importance of ensuring that the beef genomics scheme to the vital suckler herd was also highlighted.

The Commissioner told the delegation that he hoped that early progress could be made in securing trade deals with countries such as Korea and Japan which would be good for Irish food exports.