Farmers want a bigger budget in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the first CAP 2020 consultation meeting heard in Carlow on Monday night.

Farm incomes was the standout issue on the night, which saw almost 200 people attend the first of six CAP consultation meetings.

Angus Woods, IFA livestock chairman, said that the next CAP budget is critical and that the Government needs to redouble its efforts on it.

ADVERTISEMENT

“On income, farmers are lagging well behind. We talk about environment, the civic good that farmers do.

“Well if we’re not financially sustainable, we can’t be green if we’re in the red all the time.

We have to be looking after the productive farmer

“How can a young person go into a bank with a proposal on how much they’re going to spend with no idea what they’re going to get with their product?

“In the last reform a lot of very good productive farmers took a beating, they got absolutely hammered, we have to be looking after the productive farmer,” he said.

Also speaking on the night was Tom Shortt, IFA’s south Leinster chair, who said the budget has got to be increased.

“It is so out of date, it is not fit for purpose. It is all about income, we’ll look after the environment, we’ve done a damn good job, but we can’t do it with one hand tied behind our back.”

Listening exercise

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Wicklow farmer, Andrew Doyle, told farmers that the meetings are a listening exercise for the Department.

He said that the CAP is of immense importance for the rural economy and society in general.

“We need to do more to articulate the benefits of CAP to EU citizens.

“We must ensure that the CAP helps farmers to adopt to environmentally friendly practices – we must continue to assist farmers in a more sustainable manner.”

The five remaining meetings in the Government's CAP consultation will take place as follows:

  • Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, Co Cork – Monday 12 February 8pm
  • Newgrange Hotel, Navan, Co Meath – Tuesday 13 February 8pm
  • Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim – Wednesday 14 February 7pm
  • Hodson Bay Hotel, Roscommon Road, Athlone – Tuesday 20 February 8pm
  • McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co Mayo – Wednesday 21 February 8pm

    • Read more coverage of the first CAP consultation meeting in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

    Read more

    Government will be 'in listening mode' on CAP – Andrew Doyle

    Rigid farm schemes not always effective – McGuinness

    The Dealer: Doyle to draw first CAP fire