Government needs to reinforce Brussels' funding in next CAP - Cowen
Barry Cowen has called on the Minister to fight for the strongest possible outcome in Brussels and stand ready to reinforce that outcome through national funding.
MEP Barry Cowen has written a letter to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon. \ Philip Doyle
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MEP Barry Cowen has written to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon raising concerns regarding the next CAP and the level of national funding Ireland is willing to allocate.
The Irish Government, he argued, is more focused on securing as much earmarked funds from Brussels, rather than showing willingness to "step up to the plate" itself with national funding.
"I urge the Government to give an unequivocal signal that it will do both: fight for the strongest possible outcome in Brussels and stand ready to reinforce that outcome through national funding. Only by doing so can we provide the certainty farmers need," Cowen said.
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The proposed national and regional partnership fund (NRPF) gives member states significant flexibility, which Ireland must be prepared to use, Cowen argued.
"Ireland would receive €11.4bn from the NRPF, from which its €8.16bn CAP allocation would be drawn. This represents a 20% to 24% reduction on the current €10.7bn programme.
"The Government will therefore have to decide whether to accept reduced support levels or compensate through increased national contributions or by drawing on wider NRPF resources.
"The system has been designed to allow member states to protect farm incomes if they choose to do so," he said.
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Title: Government needs to reinforce Brussels' funding in next CAP - Cowen
Barry Cowen has called on the Minister to fight for the strongest possible outcome in Brussels and stand ready to reinforce that outcome through national funding.
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MEP Barry Cowen has written to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon raising concerns regarding the next CAP and the level of national funding Ireland is willing to allocate.
The Irish Government, he argued, is more focused on securing as much earmarked funds from Brussels, rather than showing willingness to "step up to the plate" itself with national funding.
"I urge the Government to give an unequivocal signal that it will do both: fight for the strongest possible outcome in Brussels and stand ready to reinforce that outcome through national funding. Only by doing so can we provide the certainty farmers need," Cowen said.
The proposed national and regional partnership fund (NRPF) gives member states significant flexibility, which Ireland must be prepared to use, Cowen argued.
"Ireland would receive €11.4bn from the NRPF, from which its €8.16bn CAP allocation would be drawn. This represents a 20% to 24% reduction on the current €10.7bn programme.
"The Government will therefore have to decide whether to accept reduced support levels or compensate through increased national contributions or by drawing on wider NRPF resources.
"The system has been designed to allow member states to protect farm incomes if they choose to do so," he said.
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