MEP SAYS CAP DEAL WILL BENEFIT FARMING SECTOR IN THE WEST

Date Published: 20-Mar-2013

North West MEP Jim Higgins says the draft agreement on reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy will be of particular benefit to the agri-sector in the West of Ireland.

EU agriculture ministers reached an agreement at a meeting in Brussels last night and further trialogue talks are planned before a formal deal is signed off.

Irish farmers are particularly concerned about how Single Farm Payments would be distributed under the European Commission's demand for a flat rate payment per acre.

However, MEP Higgins says the deal allows a fair system of distribution as well as helping Ireland to reach Food Harvest 2020 targets.

He has also welcomed plans for a 25 percent top-up for young farmers and a deal to end sugar quotas in 2017.

Speaking from Brussels this afternoon, MEP Higgins says the proposed deal is driven by fairness and will be beneficial for farming in the West.