We must deliver a standalone CAP – McCarthy & Kelly

A standalone Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) with payments kept in line with inflation is a key objective of Fine Gael’s Agriculture Committee.

The group will tonight launch their report for the next CAP which sets out Fine Gael’s’ key demands to be delivered under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) by the European Union.

In recent months the committee has carried out extensive stakeholder engagement with farming organisations, taking in the views from the agriculture sector. The report has been formally adopted by the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party.

Among the other main asks in the report are:

• Develop an enhanced robust definition of active farmer
• Provide true financial incentives for environmental schemes
• Expand access to credits and supports for young farmers
• Create a simplified system of audit and payment

MEP Sean Kelly, European Parliament Environment Committee’s rapporteur said: “As we prepare to enter a critical phase of the negotiations on the new EU budget, we must deliver a properly funded CAP that safeguards the long-term viability of European agriculture and rural communities. This includes the important fight to maintain a standalone CAP that farmers across Europe know and rely upon.

“At the same time, we must deliver a CAP that properly rewards and incentivises farmers for the work they carry out every day, from producing high-quality food to delivering environmental and climate actions. We need to deliver both simplicity and viability, ensuring farmers are remunerated properly while avoiding needless bureaucracy and red tape.

“This is well reflected in the Fine Gael report we are launching in Mitchelstown tonight.”

Deputy Noel McCarthy, Chairman of the Fine Gael Agriculture Committee said: “CAP is a cornerstone of the agriculture sector in Ireland. We need to use the upcoming EU presidency to show our farmers that we are listening to them.

“Delivering an indexed CAP would ensure that it remains effective throughout the lifetime of the next MFF. This has been called for across the EU, including by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, now we need to see action.

“Safeguarding funding for active farmers will continue to be a key focus for Ireland. We are a net contributor to the EU, this along with the food security provided by our agriculture sector should be acknowledged in the next CAP negotiations”.

The report will be launched tonight in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown by Committee Chairman Deputy Noel McCarthy, along with MEP Sean Kelly.