The IFA has ratcheted up the pressure it is applying to Government to mount a stand against the European Commission’s plans to gut the ring-fenced budget available for farm schemes in the 2028-2034 CAP.
The association has called on farmers to share with their local elected representatives the IFA’s analysis of the financial hit it anticipates will face each county, should the Commission’s proposed 24% reduction in dedicated CAP funds enter force.
The cut to EU funding for CAP proposed by Brussels would represent a €2.13bn blow to Irish farmers over the seven years of the next CAP, if additional funds were not secured to backfill the reduction in ringfenced EU farm funding.
It could leave Ireland having to reduce farm income supports to a flat rate of €130/ha in the scheme that is to combine the Basic Income Support for Sustainability, frontloading and the young farmer top up, the IFA has warned.
The IFA analysis forecasts Longford being the county whose typical farmer would see the most severe CAP direct payment drop under a blanket €130/ha payment regime.
The average farmer in Longford would see their direct payment 50% to just over €3,000 in the figures assessed by the IFA.
Estimated reductions of 40% are anticipated in Co Tipperary, 39% in Cork and 32% in Galway.
The renewed focus of the IFA’s campaign is to signal to policymakers the overall amount a decrease in CAP funding would be expected to have on counties as a whole, as farm payments would no longer be available for recirculation back into local businesses.
It has said that the Commission’s plans would place 3,300 rural jobs will be at risk as €440m in spending could disappear for machinery dealers, feed mills, marts, contractors and local builders each year.
The IFA’s escalation of its CAP campaign comes as EU budget negotiations are ongoing and with many member states reluctant to commit more of their future tax revenues to Brussels.
SHARING OPTIONS