Few farmers in Carlow and Kilkenny, and indeed throughout Ireland, believe a number of Government members and TDs who have been saying that the recent CAP health check has been a good deal for the Irish farming community.
The resident of the IFA Padraig Walsh is very disappointed that the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith agreed to a cut of five per cent in the Single Farm Payment when we already had another five per cent reduction which came into force in 2003.
When speaking to the Kilkenny Advertiser/Carlow First on Tuesday he said that “the recent result of the CAP Health Check could not be described as a good deal for farmers because we will lose another five per cent over the next five years, and this cut will amount to about €42.5 million which will be taken out directly of farmers pockets.”
Mr Walsh also wanted to rermind readers that a few years ago in 2003 when we were forced to endure the introduction of the previoius cut, we were told that there would be no more reductions to the Single Farm Payment, and the money would be there until 2013. “I also notice too that no account has been taken of inflation in the meantime, which will result in a further erosion of payments over the years. As I said I am very disappointed, and so are the vast majority of farmers throughout Ireland.”
On the increase in the milk quota the IFA president said that he does not see it as a big concession, because milk quotas will be gone anyway in 2013. “The biggest problem as I see it is that while there might be an increase in milk quotas and this will follow on with an increase in milk production there has been no managment structures put in place to market the milk,” he said. “The price of milk is steadily decreasing following the peak of last year, but the commission is not prepared to support the market in terms of export refunds while at the same time market supports have been taken away. To have more milk quota without supports could be termed as having the worst of both worlds.”
Mr Walsh is hoping that the unused CAP funds will be used to help support the sheep sector, which has been under severe pressure in Ireland over the past few years. “The sheep sector is worth about €400 million annually with 34,000 farmers exporting 49,000 tonnes of lamb which is valued at €180 million,” he said. “It is the third most important farming sector following beef and milk, and it is critically important because it provides economic, social and environmental benefits to many rural parts of Ireland. The sheep sector must be well supported it is as simple as that.”
While on the subject of sheep Mr Walsh also pointed out that a few weeks ago Minister Barnier announced a €50 million package for French sheep farmers for next year.
“This package comes before any CAP Health Check and clearly indicates that the French minister is really committed to the French sheep farmers,” he concluded.
