Speaking from Brussels Colm O’Donnell President of the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association stated “how a final CAP deal is very close that will see broad agreement on the major items. This could be achieved as early as this evening (Friday, June 25) which will allow for a final agreement to be signed off on in Luxemburg early next week.”
O’Donnell added “how the INHFA delegation have engaged in formal and informal meetings with a number of our MEP’s and EU staff with all indications from them being that a deal is imminent.”
The deal will he continued “include details on a minimum convergence level of 85% that each Member State must reach, a requirement for front-loading of payments under the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability, (CRISS) and an eco-scheme set at 25% with the possibility of 20% for the first two years to facilitate a learning period.”
In outlining the INHFA ambition for this CAP Reform the INHFA leader “stressed the need to protect the family farm model and ensure that those who choose to farm are supported fairly in doing this. Ongoing convergence of Pillar 1 payments with additional support through the CRISS are the vehicles to deliver on this.
On the eco-scheme, O’Donnell maintained “that this must be available to all farmers with an equal uniform level of payments per hectare.”
On the issue of maximum payments under Pillar 1 The Farm President was very clear in the requirement to reduce the maximum payment down to €60,000 with no allowance for Labour Units.
The whole point of a redistribution of payments is he stated “to support as many farmers as possible and this is why we have a major issue with allowances for Labour Units as this provides additional support for very large commercial units and feedlots to the determinant of our family farm.
Concluding O’Donnell stated “how the final CAP deal will we expect provide for further redistribution in Pillar 1 payments that supports the vast majority of Irish farmers.”
