IFA president Joe Healy has written to the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to make the case for continued strong EU funding of the CAP post-2020.

Healy said: “The next CAP reform will take place in the context of new challenges facing Europe, including market volatility and climate change. Farmers are committed to delivering on the public good requirements relating to the environment and climate change, in addition to the delivery of quality food, meeting the highest regulatory standards in the areas of food safety, animal health and welfare. In return, farmers must be provided with a fair standard of living.”

Healy said: “Simplification of the CAP is also critical. The rules of the payment system and inspection regime must take account of the realities of farming, and the increased use of technology and risk based analysis must be progressed.”

On the discussions on the future financing of the EU, he said: “The IFA recognises the challenges facing the EU budget, including the withdrawal of the UK, a net contributor, from the EU and the need to finance new priorities. However, it is unacceptable that existing budget programmes, such as CAP and cohesion funding, would simply be reduced to accommodate new challenges. Member states should increase their contributions, if necessary, to take account of Brexit, to fund existing policies and to take on new priorities, where agreed between member states.

“A strongly funded CAP budget post 2020 is required, reversing the cuts imposed in the MFF 2014-2020, through direct income support and market management measures in Pillar I, and co-financed farm schemes in Pillar II.”

Healy said: “Irish farmers remain positive towards the EU, recognising the benefits that EU membership and the CAP have delivered. It is important that an open discussion is had about the future financing of the EU and retaining strong existing policies, such as the CAP.”