With the EU heads of state meeting taking place in Dublin on Friday 13 November, Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman hopes that bringing over 200 farmers and European agricultural representatives from Copa-Cogeca together will make the point of opposing the 24% cut to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) clear.
He stated that no concrete proposals to bridge the funding gap are on the table yet.
“We have farmers from all over the country here today. We have the presidents of Copa-Cogeca Lennart Nilsson and Massimiliano Giansanti here with us.
"It shows the unified position that Copa has across all farm organisations in Europe. When it comes to getting a budget, it's going to be good for farmers,” said Gorman.
Having met with the Taoiseach last week and the Minister of Agriculture this morning, Gorman believes "they want to see a strong CAP budget".
“I do believe that they want that, but they need to put on the green jersey now. The president of the council António Costa is going to look after the nego[tiations] box from now on and that will be another one announced on 20 November.
"Our Government, our Taoiseach, our Minister for Agriculture have to put on the green jersey now and ensure that farmers are looked after," he said.
Watch the full interview here:
