15 May 2012, 17:10
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture today engaged with representatives from the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association and Macra na Feirme.
The meeting concludes a series of discussions by the Committee with key stakeholders in Ireland on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in recent weeks.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “CAP reform is a key priority for the Committee, which this month has considered the subject in detail with key stakeholders. We thank both farming organisation representatives for comprehensive briefings on their respective positions on the CAP talks.”
“The Committee heard the ICMSA representatives advocate that Members States be allowed the maximum amount of flexibility in putting in place payments models that best suit our farming system. They also expressed concerns around the distortion in land prices caused by the current uncertainty around the CAP talks.
“The Committee also takes on board Macra na Feirme’s calls for full support for the mandatory top-up for young farmers contained in the current proposals. Only 5 per cent of Irish farmers are under 35, which prevents Ireland drawing down full funding available for Europe to support young farmers. Committee Members agree that young farmers should be fully supported to ensure that the development of the agri-food industry reaches its full potential.”
“The meetings today conclude this round of meetings with key stakeholders on CAP. In recent weeks we have met Department officials MEPs and heard from the representatives of key farming organisations. Our Committee will forward a short political report to the EU Institutions before the summer, which will incorporate the distinct perspectives that both farming organisations have presented to us today.
“It is imperative that the key stakeholders in Irish agriculture have as unified a position as possible as the intense negotiations are finalised. Irish agriculture undoubtedly has many advantages in the negotiations, in securing CAP reform that maximises food production in a sustainable manner, while protecting rural communities.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan