Brendan Smith urges protection of farm supports amid CAP changes
Brendan Smith spoke on 8 Dec 2021 about the forthcoming CAP strategic plan and warned against a proposed 25% reduction in Pillar 1 funding and transfer to Pillar 2. He urged that productive farmers in dairy, beef, sheep and tillage continue to receive necessary support and highlighted food security and environmental considerations.
CAP strategic plan and timing
The Taoiseach was addressed on the need to finalise the CAP strategic plan, which must be submitted to the European Commission within weeks and is expected to go to Government for approval before submission to Europe.
Concerns over proposed Pillar 1 cut
He flagged a proposal to reduce Pillar 1 funding by 25% with a transfer to Pillar 2 and said it is extremely important that farmers in productive sectors continue to get the necessary support. He noted that farm incomes are subject to cyclical prices and weather, so stability in supports remains important.
Role of farming and exports
Brendan Smith underlined the historic importance of the Common Agricultural Policy to farming, the agri-food sector and the rural and national economy since joining the EEC in 1973. He pointed to record levels of drink and food exports and their critical role in creating and maintaining employment across the country.
Environmental standards and public narrative
He rejected what he described as a "lazy and at times ill-informed narrative" about farming and emphasised that farmers and processing sectors work to high and demanding environmental and farming standards. He argued that those contributions should be recognised when finalising CAP arrangements.
Next steps and food security
He said he will speak to the Minister of Agriculture about the strategic plan and stressed the need to focus on measures that work. He also highlighted food security as a continuing global challenge that must be reconciled with climate issues and stated that Ireland is probably one of the most carbon efficient production systems in Europe in dairy and beef.
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Taoiseach, I understand that within the next number of weeks the CAP strategic plan will have to be submitted to the European Commission and presumably that goes to Government for approval before submission to Europe. As we know since we joined the then EEC in 1973, the Common Agricultural Policy has been of huge importance to our farming, agri-food sector, to the rural economy and indeed to the overall national economy. Thankfully today we have record levels of drink and food exports that are so critical for the creation and maintenance of employment right throughout the country. Minister McConnell, to his credit, has been engaged in a widespread consultation process but there is one proposal in relation to a reduction in Pillar 1 funding by 25 per cent and a transfer to Pillar 2. It is extremely important that farmers who are regarded in the productive sectors, be it dairy, beef, sheep, tillage, whatever, that they continue to get the necessary support. We all know that prices can be cyclical, income can very much depend on weather each season as well. So over the years the Common Agricultural Policy has been a huge important factor in trying to keep farm incomes reasonable, not always good unfortunately due to external circumstances. So it is very important in finalising the Common Agricultural Policy that we take cognizance of what has worked for the Irish farming and agri-food sector over the years. Because unfortunately in recent times, and I have said it for many years, there has been a lazy and at times ill-informed narrative in relation to farming and its importance and its contribution to environmental standards as well. Our farmers work to an extremely high and demanding quite rightly standards both from an environmental point of view and also from farming practices as do our processing sectors. So the necessary support that has been provided over the years must be continued. Thank you. In terms of last point, certainly I will talk to the Minister of Agriculture in respect of the strategic plan. I think you are right in terms of the need to do everything we possibly can to focus on what works and in terms of food security in particular, which will remain a big challenge globally and that is reconciled with the climate issues. But food security is still very important and Ireland is probably one of the most carbon efficient production systems in Europe, both in dairy and beef and that should not be forgotten. Listen to this, you know both the pişman County workers are the most part that we have seen as, you know, law enforcement Those effective structures may not agree with as a man of geography with its ability and the population is still very important. Have no Antonio Krilowocz talking about from��ливoccal collecting K� Linowocz talking about this physician. There are many other things that we haven't helped her cannot be una theme someone without spending enough money for us .
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