IFA President Addresses Offaly AGM
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Pictured at the AGM of Offaly IFA (Left to Right) were Tom Loonam, President of Offaly IFA, John Bryan, IFA President, Joe Parlon, Chairman of Offaly IFA and Thomas Woulfe, Secretary of Offaly IFA. TT5038
SPEAKING to a crowd of over 150 farmers at AGM of Offaly IFA in Tullamore, IFA President John Byran said that the proposed cuts in the disadvantages area, 10% cut in REPS 4 and no AEOS Scheme in 2012 will have a dramatic effect on farm income in County Offaly.
He also said that the ambitious plans of the government under the food harvest 2020 report will have to be supported by the exchequer as agriculture is seen as one of the key industries that can drive the Irish Economy with close on ?9 Billion worth of exports this year.
The IFA President said the CAP 2013 proposals from the EU Commission are very damaging for all sectors and must be strongly rejected by the Government.
The IFA Leader said the proposal to move to a flat rate payment system by 2019 would create major disruption all farms and decimate production.
Mr. Bryan said the EU proposal for 2014 as a reference year was creating major problems for farmers and interfering in the land rental market. He said a future reference period was the incorrect approach and must be changed.
In addition, He said the Greening proposals will increase costs and bureaucracy, and interfere and undermine production. He said the 30% proposal on Greening was way too high and any environmental measure must be voluntary, taking account of existing cross compliance measures.
Mr. Bryan said IFA is strongly opposed to the CAP 2013 proposals and will continue to fight a major campaign at national and EU to protect the Single Farm Payment.
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