The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has warned that scrapping the ringfenced CAP budget would be “devastating” to both the CAP and the farm income support schemes it funds.
The INHFA’s concern comes just over a week out from the expected publication of the European Commission plans for the next long-term EU budget.
INHFA president Vincent Roddy said that speculation in Brussels that the post-2027 budget would lump CAP funding into a single fund along with other programmes could see unravelling of CAP.
He also called for the continuation of the two-pillared structure and a larger budget to reflect “increasing demands” on farmers receiving payments.
“All farmland currently receiving CAP support must continue to do so,” Roddy commented.
“Farmers, whether they be dairy, cattle, sheep or tillage are all operating within the specific parameters as defined through CAP conditionality, whilst delivering an agricultural output, albeit at different levels depending on the land type.
“This is what CAP conditionality is about and why we have always sought a uniform payment rate.”
The INHFA leader said that the group is focused on supporting as many farmers as possible to ensure the “continuation of a strong lobby group which protects all farmers.”
The strength of the farming lobby in Ireland “is something we should not take for granted” with “definite lessons” to be learned from the weaker position of UK farming organisations, according to Roddy.
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