ICMSA Set Out Farmer Key Concerns To Minister Cowen.

Speaking following a meeting with the new Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine, Mr. Barry Cowen on the key priorities facing the agriculture sector, the President of ICMSA, Mr. Pat McCormack said, that ICMSA impressed on the Minister the need for sustainable farm incomes to be delivered and to be central to the new Government’s policy.  

ICMSA, at the meeting set out its priorities that need to be addressed including the need for a full funded CAP at least maintaining the existing budget with a strong focus on active farmers, the need for a Brexit free trade agreement to be in  place by year end and if not, that the incomes of farmers are protected from the fallout and the immediate establishment of the Food Ombudsman office.   ICMSA, Mr. McCormack said, also stressed the importance of the live export trade, the importance of introducing a dairy beef calf scheme better promoting the integration of the dairy and beef sectors, the critical need to maintain the nitrates derogation going forward and the need for the new REPS scheme to be inclusive of all farmers and to ensure a participation rate of at least 70,000 farmers. 

Farmers are facing into a very challenging period and the first test of this Government will be securing a CAP budget at least maintained at current levels and the EU Council meeting later this month will be critical in this regard.   Farmer need to see immediate delivery, concluded Mr. McCormack.

Ends    9 July 2020

Pat McCormack, 087-7608958

President, ICMSA.

Or

ICMSA Press Office (061) 314677