20 APRIL 2018

ICSA president Patrick Kent has said that comments by Commissioner Oettinger that the European Commission will propose a cut of 6% in CAP funding will be extremely worrying for all farmers but especially for those in the low income sectors where EU supports are vital.

“ICSA understands that the Commissioner has outlined this to the presidents’ committee of the European Parliament this week, in advance of the publication of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (7 year budget proposals) in early May. While this figure is considerably lower than some of the figures that were doing the rounds, it is still unacceptable.”

“It has been suggested that this cut will be applied solely to Pillar 1 payments which are direct income supports for farmers. ICSA is calling on the government to outline how it proposes to make up the difference. Options could include national co-funding of Pillar 1 or a higher co-funding of Pillar 2.”

ENDS