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“There are those who seek to delete the word ‘agriculture’ from the CAP and replace it with ‘environment”
Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness has called for a widening and deepening of the discussions in Ireland on the shape of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) beyond 2013.
"While the focus nationally is on retaining the single farm payment at current levels, there is a need to also look at all other aspects of the CAP, including market support mechanisms, price and income volatility issues and supermarket buying power.
"I am concerned that the narrow focus on the single farm payment will distract from the need to have a balanced CAP, which involves recognising the need to have ways and means of managing crises in commodity markets, which are flexible and effective.
Speaking in Leinster House today at an informal meeting of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, McGuinness said securing these market support measures are important for farmers, the food industry and the many jobs which the industry provides.
"It is in our national interest to place as much emphasis on market management tools as is currently being placed on how the single farm payment might change into the future,” McGuinness said.
The Oireachtas Committee heard from MEP George Lyon who is drafting a report for the European Parliament on the future shape of the CAP.
"This report will be the Parliament's opening position on the debate about the CAP and it is vital that there is a co-ordinated Irish input into the report,” said McGuinness.
The MEP warned committee members that the debate at EU level is being driven by the environment lobby who seek to radically alter the CAP.
"There are those who seek to delete the word ‘agriculture’ from the CAP and replace it with ‘environment’ - this would be a retrograde step and must be resisted.
"Equally there are attempts being made to pay farmers for delivery of public goods with no recognition of the fundamental public good currently being performed, namely producing food for EU consumers,” she said.
The Oireachtas Committee will prepare a report on their priorities in the upcoming CAP reforms and this will feed into the work at European Parliament level.
McGuinness, the longest serving member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, has been leading the debate in the Parliament at every level on how to reform the CAP while retaining the core values of protecting family farming and food production.
Last year she prepared a report on the future of the CAP and Global Food Security which was endorsed by the Parliament. |
