Ag minister set to discuss CAP at Ballly'duff mart today
The minister for agriculture is set to arrive in County Cavan today in what is proving to be a significant week for agriculture.
Minister Charlie McConalogue is eager to hear the views of farmers in person and is expected to arrive in Ballyjamesduff Mart at 3.30pm ths afternoon (Tuesday, October 26) as the Cavan stop-off in his 'CAP Consultation Tour'.
The IFA have already been left smarting over both CAP and their frustration was further compounded by the proposed carbon budgets announced on Monday.
CAP
Last Wednesday the Minister for Agriculture announced a €2.30bn contribution to the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. It had been billed by the Taoiseach as “an enormous vote of confidence in the sector’s ability to meet the considerable challenges it faces”.
However the IFA claimed it does not help the “active farmer” and places the “total emphasis” on “rewarding farmers for reducing production”. In a scathing response the IFA President Tim Culinan fumed “The Greens are clearly running the show with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael being led by the nose”.
The Livestock chairman Brendan Golden described the CAP funding and strategic plans as a sell-out of suckler and beef farmers by the minister.
Mr Golden noted suckler and beef farmers depend on direct payments for 160% of farm family income and opined: “These plans are cutting this income by up to 50% through a combination of flattening in convergence, CRISS and eco-schemes. The impact of these measures is further compounded by additional compliance costs and reduced efficiencies, all taking from the pockets of the most economically vulnerable farmers.”
Carbon
While CAP may be on farmers’ and minister's minds, they will undoubtedly also be occupied by the carbon budget proposals submitted on Monday by the Climate Change Advisory Council.
The first two proposed carbon budgets provide for the 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the state by 2030 relative to 2018. They are seeking an annual cut of 4.8% up to 2025, and from 2026-2030 the targets are set at annual cuts of 8.3%.
Once adopted by the Government and the Oireachtas, Minister Ryan will prepare individual emissions ceilings for each sector of the economy in consultation with other relevant Ministers. Therefore Minister McConalogue will come under pressure from farming lobbyists on one side and cabinet colleagues on the other to have agriculture play a leading role.
Media reports have suggested that agriculture will have to commit to cuts of between 21-30%.
Tim Cullinan has claimed: “Our most productive farmers simply cannot remain viable with the level of restrictions that are proposed and this will have profound implications for the rural economy,”
Calling for negotiations he added: “For most people, climate action will impact on their lifestyle. For farmers, it will impact on our livelihoods.”