Warning that Laois faces loss of €70 m and hundreds of job losses
Laois farm leader says over €9 m and hundreds of jobs are at risk in Laois
The next three months will be critical in the campaign to secure a CAP budget that will underpin the future viability of Irish agriculture and also protect millions of euro coming to Laois and hundreds of local jobs, according to Laois IFA Chair Henry Burns.
The Mountmellick farmer also believes a bad deal for Ireland will put nearly €70 million in payments at risk and also threaten hundreds of jobs.
He made the claim as the IFA launched a new online hub in the next phase of its campaign to secure a higher Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget from the EU in upcoming negotiations on a six-year deal.
“As part of IFA’s campaign, we have created a dedicated online CAP hub that sets out the implications of the existing proposals. For Ireland, the proposed cut of €2.5bn or 24% would have massive ramifications for farmers and our capacity to produce high-quality food.
"It would also have a huge impact on the rural economy given that every euro in CAP payments generates up to €2 in economic activity, mainly in rural Ireland.
“The cost pressures on farmers at the moment – from global unrest, weather conditions and the fertiliser policy at EU level – have created the perfect storm. It sends the wrong signal to be taking support away from food production at a time when the European Union should be reinforcing food security,” said the Laois IFA Chairman.
In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, Mr Burns said the hub also offers every farmer the opportunity to see what it will mean for them individually, by entering their own figures.
He highlighted the potential loss of jobs and a cut of €9 million in payments coming to Laois annually.
“The hub shows Laois stands to lose €67m between 2028 and 2034, with over 100 jobs per year at risk due to these cuts,” he said.
The Laois IFA Chair said restoring the CAP budget must be a priority for the Irish Government as it chairs the discussions.
“Holding the EU Presidency at this crucial time means our Government has the opportunity to steer the debate and achieve an outcome that will provide farmers and the wider rural economy with the resilience needed to tackle the challenges ahead.
"It would also have a huge impact on the rural economy given that every euro in CAP payments generates up to €2 in economic activity, mainly in rural Ireland.
“There is likely to be an EU Council meeting in October which will be chaired by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin. This will see further negotiations around the shape of the next MFF budget, of which CAP is a part. Those deliberations will have a bearing on the future of farming from 2028 onwards,” he said.
Mr Burns added that the association will use the CAP hub to inform politicians in the months ahead, including at a South Leinster regional meeting in the Clanard Court Hotel, Athy on Monday, September 28, of the “damaging impact of the cuts”.
His fellow Laois man and the IFA President Francie Gorman urged farmers to attend the Athy meeting, which is one of five regional gatherings on CAP. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
“I would encourage all farmers to come along and inform themselves of the scale of the proposed cuts, and how IFA are campaigning to protect Irish family farms.
“Farmers must be made aware of the economic impact on their family farms, and also to their rural communities. CAP payments are a crucial part of what makes Irish agriculture and rural Ireland tick, and any cuts to CAP would seriously jeopardise the future viability of family farms and rural economies.
“Restoring the CAP budget must be a priority for the Irish Government, as it currently holds the EU Presidency during this crucial period. said the Ballinakill man,” he said.
The online address for the hub is www.ifa.ie/cap/