Farmers on low-value entitlements are not after other farmers’ higher-value entitlement money, they are looking for the money that is there because of them. That’s according to the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA).

Vincent Roddy, director of organisation at the INHFA, told the Irish Farmers Journal that one aspect that hasn’t featured in the CAP discussion so far is how external convergence between member states operates.

“Some countries, Italy, Germany and Holland, have seen substantial cuts to their budgets, with this money being used to help bring up payments in other countries, which are predominantly eastern European.

“Ireland hasn’t had any reduction because with an average payment of €265/ha we are very close to the EU average. The reason we are at this rate is due in no small part to the 72,710 farmers (60%) that are below the national average of €265/ha.”

‘Protect our budget’

“So effectively these farmers on the lower payments have helped protect our [national]budget, contrary to what some farmers on high level entitlements of €600 to €700 may think. Farmers on low-level entitlements of €160/ha are not after their money – what they are looking for is the money that is there because of them and their low value entitlements,” Roddy said.

As IFA members protested over CAP last Friday, the INHFA said it was contesting that the current CAP proposals will undermine the income of Irish farmers.

Its president Colm O’Donnell said that nationally “under a full flattening of payments 72,710 farmers will gain, representing 60% of all farmers”.

“Despite suggestions made by some, the current proposals will deliver for the vast majority of Irish farmers,” he said.

O’Donnell has objected to other farm organisations’ calls to introduce income tests, outputs per hectare, proof of livestock sales and stocking densities to become objective criteria in defining a genuine farmer.

He said that elected officials must “ensure that not one of our 125,000 farmers loses out on their legitimate right and expectation to be entitled to CAP direct payments or to be unfairly discriminated against by introducing such additional obstacles”.