21st September, 2012

ICSA president, Gabriel Gilmartin, emphasised to EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos on a visit to Ardee, Co. Louth today that the CAP Budget must be finalised as soon as possible.  

Speaking from Ardee, Mr. Gilmartin said, “The CAP Budget needs to be finalised very soon – and at the very least, the level of support for farmers must be maintained in real terms, taking inflation into account.”

Mr. Gilmartin said the visit by Commissioner Ciolos to Ireland is very appropriate, because Ireland holds the key to brokering a deal on the new CAP.  “I would urge the Commissioner to be flexible in his approach to the CAP talks, and to accept that a flat rate by 2019 won’t work in Ireland.  This would maximise the chances of getting the deal done under the Irish presidency of the EU next year.”