With one week to go, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association is reiterating its call for a Yes vote in the forthcoming Referendum on the Fiscal Treaty (Treaty on Stability Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union). 

The ICSA’s National Executive last week came out in favour of a Yes vote after a meeting in Dublin, which was addressed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Simon Coveney TD, and Professor Anthony Coughlan.

ICSA General Secretary Eddie Punch said, “stability is now of premium importance for Ireland.  From a farming point of view, instability will further set back important decisions on CAP reform and a decision on the EU budget for the 2014-2020 period.”

“The ICSA’s National Executive has endorsed the campaign in favour of the Treaty having gone through a democratic process and listened carefully to both sides of the argument.  For that reason, we can recommend the Yes vote to farmers, even though there are no certainties regarding the future of the European or Irish economies and it is clear that there are no silver bullet solutions.”

Mr. Punch added, “the farming and agri-food sector is currently Ireland’s best performing industry, accounting for almost 10% of all employment in Ireland and contributing €9 billion in exports to the economy.  A Yes vote will provide certainty and support so that the sector can continue to thrive and lead the country back to growth.  Among other benefits, it will put Ireland in the strongest position to secure the best possible deal in the CAP reform negotiations, for the benefit of all producers and consumers in the coming years.”