Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture Martin Kenny TD has expressed his outrage and concern over the EU budget proposals released on Wednesday.

The proposals outlined plans to cut income payments to farmers who are retirement age and receive a pension.

The move could impact over 40,000 farmers.

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'Outrageous'

Deputy Kenny says this plan “is outrageous and must be opposed completely”. He says the plan is forcing older farmers who are receiving a pension to quit farming.

“We are all aware that there is an issue when it comes to generational renewal in the farming sector and we need to find solutions to this. But forcing older farmers off the land is not the way to go.

“Sinn Féin believes they should be supported the same as all other farmers and encouraged to establish a succession partnership with a young farmer.

"This group of farmers have a lifetime of knowledge and experience in agriculture and that knowledge and experience needs to be passed on to the next generation of farmers," he said.

Deputy Kenny said his party will be campaigning for CAP money to be ringfenced for Irish agriculture and to protect and support the Irish family farm.