Govt warned CAP funding ‘the foundation’ of family farming
Any significant reduction to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget would have “devastating consequences” for farm families and rural communities, according to an Offaly TD.
Independent TD Carol Nolan highlighted the concerns of farmers she met at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore when speaking to Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers in the Dáil.
Deputy Nolan said analysis presented to her by farmers shows that a major reduction in CAP funding could cost Co. Offaly approximately €9.1 million every year between 2028 and 2034 and place around 100 local jobs at risk annually.
The Offaly TD said: "Last week at the Ploughing Championships, farmers made it absolutely clear that the future of CAP funding is one of the biggest issues facing rural Ireland.
“The message from Offaly farmers was straightforward.
“Europe must maintain a strong CAP budget that reflects the strategic importance of food production and family farming."
Agriculture
Deputy Nolan said CAP funding is often misunderstood by those outside agriculture.
She added: "CAP funding is not a bonus for Irish farmers. It is not an optional extra.
“It is the foundation that supports family farming, food production, rural communities and our wider economy.”
She said that, without that support, many farm families would struggle to remain viable, with the knock-on effects felt by local businesses, contractors, feed suppliers, marts, and "entire rural communities".
The Offaly TD added that farmers are "increasingly frustrated" that they are being asked to meet higher environmental and climate-related obligations while facing uncertainty over the future level of financial support available to them.
"Our farmers are being asked to do more than ever before in terms of environmental protection, biodiversity measures and climate action.
“Those objectives cannot be achieved if the financial supports that underpin farm incomes are weakened.
“Europe cannot continue demanding more while providing less," she said.
Food security
Deputy Nolan also warned that reducing CAP funding at a time of growing international instability would undermine European food security and jeopardise efforts to encourage younger people into farming.
She said: "If we are serious about food security, generational renewal and vibrant rural communities, then protecting the CAP budget must be a priority.
“Family farms are the backbone of rural Ireland and they deserve certainty and support, not cuts and uncertainty."
Deputy Nolan welcomed Minister Chamber's acknowledgement in the Dáil that concerns raised by farmers are being heard by government but stressed that "concrete results" are required in the negotiations ahead.
She said: "The government must use every opportunity available to defend Ireland's farming sector and ensure that CAP remains adequately funded.
"The stakes are simply too high for rural Ireland."
