MEP Clune visits Wexford to discuss CAP budget with IFA
IRELAND South MEP Deirdre Clune was in Wexford town last week to meet with the IFA County Executive to discuss the CAP budget.
The Executive members highlighted how important the budget is and emphasised how vital it is that it’s retained and increased.
Ms Clune said the value of the CAP budget is known and commented: ‘Every penny a farmer gets is spent in their local community and we recognise that agriculture is important and we need to support it.’
She also said there is a strong push to have the budget maintained.
However, she also urged farmers and businesses to diversify - particularly with regard to looking at export markets.
Ms Clune said agricultural exports are very important to the Irish ecomony in general and hinting at Brexit she said it’s vital the country maintains ‘as close a relationship as possible’ with the UK.
‘We do not want to see tariffs and barriers between Ireland and the UK,’ she said.
‘I would urge any business or farmer to seek support that is out there from the Department of Agriculture or Enterprise in relation to being Brexit-ready,’ she added.
Ms Clune said it’s important that the argricultural sector looks at other countries for exporting to including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
She also said Ireland needs to ‘prepare for the worst’ when it comes to Brexit and that in the context of that the relationship between Ireland and Britain is essential for farmers and businesses.