Exclusive Irish Farmers Journal analysis has shown that suckler farmers, deeply reliant on direct payments, are facing cuts that will see their total payments fall to half their original “decoupled payment” level in 2002.

A deep examination of a 50-cow suckler farmer, looking at how their overall payment has evolved since the Fischler reforms were introduced, shows that an original basic payment of over €29,000 will fall below €16,500 by 2026.

This is assuming the minimum model in terms of a shift in payments, as proposed by the Department of Agriculture.

The current post-2020 reforms continue a downward path for suckler farmers with high payments who have seen continuous cuts since 2005.

The convergence of the Ciolos reforms was the most significant change until now, but the post-2020 CAP cuts will bite deeper still.