Athlone farmer ploughs 'NO CAP CUT' message into own land
An Athlone farmer has visually expressed his views on proposed funding plans for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), talks for which continue at European Union (EU) level.
Westmeath IFA chairperson, Richard O'Brien, ploughed a 'NO CAP CUT' sign into his Clonbonny farm this week to highlight his concern, and those of many farmers from the county, regarding proposed cuts to the local farming community as discussions for CAP 2028-2034 continue.
The suckler and tillage farmer said his endeavour was part of a wider campaign to put pressure on the Government to support farmers in Westmeath who will be impacted by "proposed funding cuts" in the next CAP budget.
"As the situation stands, "Westmeath farmers will lose €8.8m per year in payments under the proposed CAP cuts," the local IFA chairperson said," O'Brien said.
This substantial reduction in agricultural payments, the Westmeath IFA chairperson added, will result in a "€12.7m hit" to the Westmeath economy should it be approved following dialogue at EU level.
In late October, EU member states agreed on the format of the next CAP for the period 2028 to 2034.
This 'partial general approach' will form the basis of the Council of the EU's opinion when it starts negotiations with the European Parliament on the next CAP.
The agreement by member states would see the end of the traditional two-pillar CAP approach, to be replaced by a single funding structure.
CAP is the EU's system of agricultural subsidies, income supports, and rural development programmes.
The Westmeath IFA chairperson stated that there were "positives" and "negatives" to the single payment approach, but added that "based on historic costs", "funding of €500bn" is what is required to ensure farmers are not "left behind" in terms of "food production and security".
The Athlone farmer said a "figure of €287bn" is currently "under discussion" as the proposed CAP allocation for the period covering 2028-2034.
"The 'NO CAP CUT' insignia was the brainchild of fellow farmer Paul Flynn following a recent online meeting of IFA members.
In advance of European leaders arriving in Dublin for meetings to mark Ireland's EU Presidency, the Dublin farmer proposed ploughing the message into his 40 acre farm in the shadow of the national airport as Ministers from the continent arrived into the capital this week.
O'Brien followed suit, as farmers from throughout the country, declared their hopes that the Irish Government will support their cause as CAP negotiations continue.
Now serving his fourth year as Westmeath IFA chairperson, O'Brien will take part in a public rally "close to the Convention Centre" in Dublin on Friday morning, during which they will be calling on the Irish Government to "fight our corner".
"We are just highlighting our cause and are calling on the Government to be as one with our need for greater supports as farmers," O'Brien concluded.