Eurolink News

IFA president voices concern over farm payments to Irish MEPs (10th March, 2010)

March 10, 2010 at 6:06 pm Leave a comment

The retention of the Single Farm Payment and the maintenance of the EU’s agriculture budget were top priorities this week as the newly-elected IFA President met with Irish MEPs in Strasbourg. When John Bryan began his tenure in January he vowed to place Europe high on his agenda, and this commitment was in evidence when he spent a day explaining his priorities to each of the 12 Irish MEPs.
Recent statements from the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Dacian Ciolos signalling his firm opposition to keeping the historical basis for direct payments have been worrying for Irish farmers, but Mr Bryan says the debate ahead of CAP renegotiation is still in the early stages. ‘Since Lisbon was passed, the MEPs have the power of co-decision on agriculture, so it’s more important than ever for me to sit down and work together with Ireland’s MEPs,’ said the IFA chief.
Speaking from Strasbourg, Ireland East MEP Liam Aylward warned of ‘strong challenges’ ahead in protecting the existing EU Agriculture Budget. ‘CAP has been good for Irish farmers and consumers; it’s given us security of food supply and high quality standards, so “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”’, said the Fianna Fáil MEP. His Labour colleague Nessa Childers MEP agreed it was important to raise awareness of the benefits of the CAP at EU level and at home.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness welcomed a commitment from Commissioner Ciolos to implement EU legislation aimed at tackling low returns to food producers.

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