The European Commission's proposals to end the two-pillar Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget and merge the CAP budget with other cohesion funds is a serious threat to food, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny has said.

The potential changes are very concerning for farmers across the EU, including Irish family farms, Kenny said.

The CAP budget has been in place for over 60 years and Irish family farms have been receiving support from CAP for over 50 years.

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“CAP was established in 1962 to support farm incomes, ensure food security, and promote rural development in the EU.

"This proposal to merge CAP with other cohesion funding is, I believe, a threat to food security in the EU and to Irish farming. While this will have the biggest impact on the farming community, it will also impact on the wider rural community," he said.

Ring-fenced budget

Kenny called for a ring-fenced budget for agriculture with a guaranteed income stream for farmers, saying that otherwise small family farms would be pushed out of business, resulting in increases in the cost of food for consumers.

“The minister and Government must oppose this proposal and fight to keep the current two pillar CAP budget model.”