MEP Maria Walsh has said the European Commission has made “a calculated decision to downgrade the importance” of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Under proposals from the European Commission published on Wednesday, the CAP budget for the period 2028 to 2034 will reduce by over 22% from its current level of €387bn to €300bn.
Walsh, a member of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee, said the proposal to include the CAP in the single fund is against the position of the European Parliament.
“What today’s proposals show us is that the CAP is a lifeline to farmers across Ireland and the EU, yet this fact has been ignored by Commissioner for Budget Piotr Serafin,” she said.
“This new approach could reduce ringfenced funding, change the income payments system and ultimately harm our farmers and the development of rural Ireland.”
Proposals
Walsh approved the inclusion of mental health for the first time ever within the CAP, under the remit of farm advisory services and the new starter pack for young farmers initiative, which will see each member state developing a generational renewal strategy.
However, she has criticised the planned change to the two-pillar model, which she said makes funding for agricultural uncertain.
“Without guaranteed investment, our rural communities and farmers will undoubtedly suffer. The effects of this will range from reduced income payments for farmers to less investment in infrastructure across rural Ireland, in particular in the midlands and west of the country.
“I am very disappointed to see the abolishment of the ringfenced funding for LEADER programmes - I will be fighting within the agriculture committee to reverse this decision.
Walsh added: “Irish farmers require both the pillar one and pillar two interventions that are currently available - moving support away from this model is to the detriment of rural areas.”
Read more
Minister 'must stand up for farm families' in CAP discussions – Sinn Féin
Stakeholder meeting on CAP to take place on Thursday
MEP Maria Walsh has said the European Commission has made “a calculated decision to downgrade the importance” of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Under proposals from the European Commission published on Wednesday, the CAP budget for the period 2028 to 2034 will reduce by over 22% from its current level of €387bn to €300bn.
Walsh, a member of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee, said the proposal to include the CAP in the single fund is against the position of the European Parliament.
“What today’s proposals show us is that the CAP is a lifeline to farmers across Ireland and the EU, yet this fact has been ignored by Commissioner for Budget Piotr Serafin,” she said.
“This new approach could reduce ringfenced funding, change the income payments system and ultimately harm our farmers and the development of rural Ireland.”
Proposals
Walsh approved the inclusion of mental health for the first time ever within the CAP, under the remit of farm advisory services and the new starter pack for young farmers initiative, which will see each member state developing a generational renewal strategy.
However, she has criticised the planned change to the two-pillar model, which she said makes funding for agricultural uncertain.
“Without guaranteed investment, our rural communities and farmers will undoubtedly suffer. The effects of this will range from reduced income payments for farmers to less investment in infrastructure across rural Ireland, in particular in the midlands and west of the country.
“I am very disappointed to see the abolishment of the ringfenced funding for LEADER programmes - I will be fighting within the agriculture committee to reverse this decision.
Walsh added: “Irish farmers require both the pillar one and pillar two interventions that are currently available - moving support away from this model is to the detriment of rural areas.”
Read more
Minister 'must stand up for farm families' in CAP discussions – Sinn Féin
Stakeholder meeting on CAP to take place on Thursday
SHARING OPTIONS