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A bigger budget in the next CAP was called for by the majority of farmers who spoke at the first CAP consultation meeting. While production across the sectors is going up, incomes are going down for the most sectors, Edmond Phelan of the ICSA said.
Tom Phelan, IFA dairy chair, said there is a lack of income in farming: “It drives rural Ireland. CAP is the only thing that supports rural communities in Ireland.”
Generational renewal has been highlighted by the European Commission as something that needs to be improved in the next CAP and there were comments from the floor about the lack of young people in the industry.
Listen to "Andrew Doyle at the first CAP 2020 meeting" on Spreaker.
Commenting on this, Minister of State at the Department, Andrew Doyle said: “The age profile of farmers is directly linked to income.
“Farmers have put serious importance on value of education for the next generation, [the lack of young people] is a challenge.”
Meanwhile, in his presentation on the environment, Jack Nolan from the department’s specialist farm services, environment and evaluation division, told farmers the CAP is benefitting the environment, but more needs to be done.
“You are the people that have the most impact in Ireland on the environment. Everything you do has a major impact. Nothing is going to change overnight. Working together we can achieve more.
“For years we’ve had measures from the top down, but in the future it seems to be you’ll be suggesting the measures for your farm.”
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