Sinn Féin will seek to limit CAP direct payments to a maximum of €60,000, according to MEP Matt Carthy who is a candidate in the Cavan/Monaghan constituency in the upcoming general election.

Carthy said fundamental reform of the CAP was required and the limit would “ensure an increase in distribution to the majority of family farms”.

In the first instance, Sinn Féin will provide €200/cow for the first 15 cows to these farmers

Sinn Féin will also seek to end direct payments to factory feedlots, he said.

Carthy said emergency measures were also needed for beef farmers: “In the first instance, Sinn Féin will provide €200/cow for the first 15 cows to these farmers.”

He said sheep farmers required a higher payment per ewe, while additional funding was needed for the ANC to support farmers in areas of highest constraint.

Price

“Ultimately, farmers need a fair price for their produce. Only Sinn Féin is committed to tackling the strangle-hold of the processing and retailing sectors that results in farmers producing at a loss while the profits from their labours go to these conglomerates,” Carthy said.

Responding to Fine Gael’s proposals for agriculture, he said it promised “more of the same at a time many farmers fear for their future”.

Sinn Féin will not support any European budget that does not include increased CAP provision

He said it was “disingenuous” of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to speak of protecting the CAP budget.

“It was his actions in committing Ireland to paying increased contributions to the EU budget without securing any commitment regarding how that money would be spent that allowed the Commission to propose an increased EU budget but with a reduced CAP.

“Sinn Féin will not support any European budget that does not include increased CAP provision,” Carthy said.

Commission

He added that the position of Fine Gael reflected those of Fianna Fáil.

If in Government, he said Sinn Féin would establish a commission of the future of the Irish family farm. The commission, comprising of experts, farm representative and state agencies, would be tasked with producing a “comprehensive set of proposals aimed at saving our family farm network”.

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