Dep Noel Treacy has called on the Government and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, to put in place a special financial aid package for sheep farmers.
“Minister Smith secured the right to use unused CAP monies at the end of each calendar year at a meeting of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers last November,” Dep Treacy said. “This opens up to the Irish Government to spend a further €23 million a year between the years 2010 - 2013.
“Moreover, farmers who receive between €5,000 and €100,000 under the Single Farm Payment system next year will have to pay modulation at a level of seven per cent in 2009 as opposed to five per cent in 2008. This opens up €35 million for the Irish Government to spend next year under this modulation structure.”
Dep Treacy commended Minister Smith for meeting with Irish farm groups about the future of the sheep sector before Christmas.
“I know that he had very constructive discussions with the groups and is considering what they have expressed to him,” he said.
