EU visit for local farming students
STUDENTS FROM DKIT AMONG DELEGATION ON BRUSSELS VISIT
YOUNG farmers from the Cooley Peninsula and Agriculture students from DKIT joined a delegation of young farmers from agricultural courses in colleges across Ireland hosted by MEP Matt Carthy in Brussels last week.
Students from DKIT were among the participating colleges, on the delegation which also included farmers who had finished their studies, as well as some of their lecturers. Members of the young farmers organisation Macra na Feirme were also part of the group.
Speaking after the visit, Matt Carthy said: ‘I was delighted to have an opportunity to host this delegation of young Irish farmers to the European Parliament in Brussels. It was an important chance for the farmers themselves to gain a better understanding of how the decisions that affect their lives are made and also for me to engage with them to ensure that I can better serve Irish farmers in my role as a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development committee.’
During the visit the group met with a representative of the European Commission to discuss future policy developments in the area of Young Farmers.
‘ They obviously pressed the need to protect the Irish family farm model in all EU policies and their need for additional supports for new and young entrants coming into the sector.
It was therefore hugely important for the group to get an opportunity to meet EU policy makers and to outline the realities of farming in Ireland.’
The MEP added: ‘ These delegations are all about bringing people closer to the site of decision making so that their voices can be heard.’
The young farmers also discussed environmental issues and upcoming legislation regarding agriculture and climate targets.
A meeting with CEJA, the European Young Farmers association, and a representative from the IFA discussed the challenges faced by Irish farmers post-Brexit.
He explained that the delegation had an opportunity to meet with Nina Holland of Corporate Europe Observatory and Luc Vernet of agricultural think thank ‘Farm Europe’ ‘where they discussed the power of agribusiness lobbies and how cartels operating in the meat processing and fertiliser sectors are destroying any hope farmers getting fair prices for their products.’
‘ The delegates themselves made several important proposals for improvements in the way EU & Irish government affect young farmers. I will be bringing many of these proposals forward in upcoming CAP reform discussions.’