IFA ups CAP campaign

IFA president John Bryan has intensified the association’s campaign to secure 50:50 co-financing from the National Exchequer for the next Rural Development Programme, which he said is a very important part of CAP Reform. The Rural Development Programme provides vital income support for thousands of farmers in vulnerable regions and sectors and the provision of environmental goods and services by farmers.

Under the proposed EU Budget for 2014-2020, Ireland will receive an EU funding allocation for Rural Development of approximately €313m each year for seven years. The Government must now come forward to match this funding, with additional top-ups. This is necessary to draw down EU funding in full, and ensure we have a Programme in place to support farmers and the rural economy.

Mr Bryan said he had met the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on the matter this week. He urged him to make it a priority for the Government and make an immediate announcement on the national support that will be provided for the Rural Development programme.

“This commitment would send a positive signal to the farming community, particularly those who have been most affected by cuts in funding to farm schemes over the past six difficult national budgets. It would also allow a more informed debate to take place in relation to both Pillar I and Pillar II. This is critically important to ensure that the current debate is balanced and takes account of all aspects of the CAP,” he said.

Mr Bryan said Rural Development operates as a complementary structure to the Single Farm Payment, and plays a hugely important role in the farm enterprises in certain sectors and regions.

Consumer Bill Reform

IFA President John Bryan said that following a meeting of IFA’s Retail Project Team there was strong criticism of the Government for its inaction on the Consumer and Competition Bill, which is to include a Statutory Code of Practice for the Grocery Goods Sector. The IFA Project Team said it was losing confidence in Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton’s, commitment to deliver this Bill, which has been promised to IFA on many occasions in the past. The legislation has been A listed for Government approval since last Autumn.