Ireland’s farming lobby, has claimed that our presidency of the EU has failed in addressing cuts of €100 billion in the new CAP budget. Micheál Martin said that Ireland’s role during its EU Council Presidency was to protect cohesion and agriculture interests. However the country’s farm leaders insisted this week that Ireland’s €2.54 billion cut remains the stark position. The Taoiseach must accept this reality. The farm lobby said the Irish Presidency has failed them and the cuts proposed by the Commission remain on the table. Joe Sweeney, Chair of Donegal IFA said the reality remains that Donegal farmers are facing close to €100 million in cuts under the new CAP while the EU’s farm budget is being hit with losses of €100 billion. The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU has faced stinging criticism from farm families, agricultural groups, and politicians for failing to reverse or improve proposed budget cuts to the new CAP deal. Joe Sweeney, said the hope that Ireland’s presidency would be able to deliver on our 24% cut was wishful thinking and farming is going to be more challenging as a result.
