“Simplification package for farmers is welcome but comes too late for many” – Chris MacManus MEP

CHRIS MacManus, MEP for Midlands North-West, has said that the new proposed simplification measures come at a badly needed time when family farmers are struggling.

Following the Council’s endorsement this week for a targeted review of the common agricultural policy to deliver much needed simplification, administrative burden reduction, and greater flexibility, MacManus said:

“Ireland needs sustainable agriculture; farmers are working to achieve this with the environmental measures that they have already been implementing. However, it is a challenging socio-economic climate with rising input costs, inflation and administrative burdens. The family farm model cannot possibly compete with corporate, industrial agriculture in this context. Rural communities badly need this simplification package and review.”

MacManus believes the family farm midel is one that must be protected in Ireland. “We cannot allow our family farmers to be swallowed up as has happened in the United States. The small family farm needs to see a reduction in the onerous levels of unnecessary bureaucracy, flexibility and streamlining of processes for applying for and registering agricultural payments.”

“The recent protests we have witnessed, reflect the widespread discontent in the sector and highlight the deep challenges our farmers face. I believe the new CAP package and review has the potential to strike a balance to achieve a practical solution for farmers whilst achieving environmental ambitions, if done correctly. This simplification package certainly seems to be a step in the right direction. It is certainly welcome but for many of our farmers it has come to late.”