It is time for the Government to focus on addressing the issues facing family farms and move beyond the distractions of recent weeks, Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture Matt Carthy has said.

It comes after Dara Calleary was appointed to succeed Barry Cowen as Minister for Agriculture. Cowen was sacked after just 17 days in the role by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

“The distractions of government formation and the subsequent controversy surrounding Barry Cowen has meant that there has been a lack of focus for several months on the very real challenges facing Irish farmers,” Carthy said.

The Cavan-Monaghan TD said Irish agriculture was facing unprecedented challenges in the coming months from the prospect of a Brexit fallout, the ongoing coronavirus implications, impending EU trade deals such as with the Mercosur block and upcoming CAP negotiations.

Our family farmers need to see policies and measures that will deliver fair prices, a fair CAP and fair play

“We need the Government’s attention to be focused on delivering in these areas and on other policies that protect families and workers during these turbulent times.”

He congratulated Minister Calleary and said he hoped he would be willing to engage with him to deliver solutions to concerns of Irish family farmers.

“Our family farmers need to see policies and measures that will deliver fair prices, a fair CAP and fair play,” he said.

“For our part, Sinn Féin will engage constructively with government to provide the legislative proposals to do just that. We will hold the Minister and Government to account when they don’t act in the best interests of family farms and our rural communities.”

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