Fianna Fáil is to outline its alternative proposals to the Common Agriculture Policy in Rathowen next month.
The meeting will be held in the Community Centre in Rathmore on Tuesday April 8 at 8.30pm.
The party’s agriculture spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív is encouraging all local farmers to attend so their views can be heard. “Fianna Fáil wants to hear how the CAP reforms will affect family farms in County Westmeath,” commented Deputy Ó Cuív.
“I believe the deal agreed by Minister Simon Coveney is a bad one. This is the first time that CAP funding has been reduced, and with the Government refusing to match EU funding for regional development, the agriculture sector is being left with a €600 million shortfall. This will have a major impact on farmers in the local area. I’m worried that family farms will be penalised by this agreement, losing out to large multiples. The Minister has protected powerful vested interests and has attacked the most vulnerable sectors of Irish agriculture.”
Deputy Ó Cuív will outline Fianna Fáil’s alternative to the current CAP deal at the April meeting.
“I want to see a fairer deal for farmers in the Midlands. The Government needs to reinstate 50/50 co-funding as well as transferring €300 million of Pillar 2 funding to Pillar 1. Red tape needs to be reduced, rather than increased as proposed.
“I would encourage all farmers to attend this meeting. They need to stand together in solidarity to have their voices heard and demand a better, fairer deal from the Minister.”
