Ireland's slice of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget must be increased in order to pay for the environmental and climate requirements placed on farmers, IFA president Joe Healy has said.
Speaking at the Smart Farming spring seminar in Portlaoise on Tuesday, he called on the Government and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to secure more funding for Ireland in the next CAP for environmental issues.
.@joehealyfarmer at #SmartFarming seminar: “Farming is having a resource-efficient development. If only transport could demonstrate that emissions per car are declining, others could point the finger at farming.” pic.twitter.com/8k387zpenK
— Thomas Hubert ?? (@tom_hubert) April 30, 2019
Healy asked why the feed-in tariff and the preferential grid access which are needed to make on-farm and community renewable energy possible, have not happened.
“Government seems prepared to write a cheque to buy compliance with 2020 climate targets rather than working with farmers who are willing to deliver on bio-energy, fossil fuel displacement, and the wider circular and bio-economy,” Healy said. “The 2020 policy inaction must not be the blueprint for 2030 and beyond.”
A fully-funded CAP budget is critically important for Ireland, its farmers, economy, jobs and consumers, as well as contributing to environmental protection and combating climate change, Healy said.
Figures from the 23ac out-farm of #SmartFarming participant Conor McGrath: 9-paddock grazing system since 2017, 30 extra days at grass, gross output up €9,300. pic.twitter.com/KTY0PMAUKs
— Thomas Hubert ?? (@tom_hubert) April 30, 2019
When buying feed, look at energy first and energy second. Grass-based systems already provide much of protein needed, @PierceKarina tells #SmartFarming seminar pic.twitter.com/sJddy0Jtvf
— Thomas Hubert ?? (@tom_hubert) April 30, 2019
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