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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

CAP funding fears

Summary

Senator Murphy O'Mahony voiced concern that proposed CAP changes could undermine ring-fenced agricultural supports, especially for small farmers and food security.

I stand here to speak about the worry of the farming community now. There are mixed messages coming from Europe regarding potential changes in the CAP system. The rumour is that Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 structures will be changed. This is money that is totally allocated for agriculture. There is talk at the moment that, instead of having its own ring-fenced budget, it will be thrown in with a bigger budget, as it were. Obviously, this will cause huge worry and have consequences, particularly for small farmers and for food security. It is important and the farmers are right to be worried. I ask that we invite the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to the House to ask him what he knows, if these changes are to come about and what are his plans and ours to fight this.

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