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Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland

Progress made on CAP reform as Luxembourg meetings continue

The IFA has reacted somewhat positively to the movements in Europe but still has warnings.

IRISH FARMERS HAVE given a cautious welcome to the direction negotiations on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms are moving in Luxembourg but they still have concerns.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) said progress had been made as a result of determined opposition from countries such as Ireland.

President John Bryan said the compromises and flexibilities that look like making up the final deal proves clearly that the initial plans were “seriously flawed from the start”.

Talks between EU member states and the European Commission are the last opportunity for Ireland to hammer out a deal before its presidency of the Council of the EU ends at the end of the month.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney yesterday claimed progress as an agreement on a new system of direct payments to farmers was reached. Under the system proposed, those who have traditionally earned less money will have their incomes raised but higher earners will lose up to 35 per cent, according to the IFA.

The deal agreed late last night would see a minimum payment of 60 per cent of the average single farm payment by 2019. The IFA had wanted to keep that percentage low to ensure that farmers were not rewarded for being unproductive.

Bryan said: “50,000 of our most productive farmers will lose between 15 per cent and 35 per cent of their overall payment by 2019, which will have a serious impact on farm incomes and viability. Any cuts must be imposed over the longest timeframe possible.”

There is no justification for taking money off productive farmers to redistribute to non-active farmers.

There were also discussions on proposals to encourage younger people to remain in farming, including the establishment of a pot (of 2 per cent of the direct payments) as an incentive.

Decision time: Talks resume on CAP reform in final push for deal

PHOTOS: Farmers mount Kildare St protest over CAP reforms

Gone fishin’: Tony Hibbert is on the cover of this month’s Angling Times, ladies

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    Mute Nathan Wheeler
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    May 4th 2016, 10:52 AM

    Good guy China, mass murdering its own people for the glorious Communist future since 1949.

    Wally Mooney would love to spend time with his communist brethren.

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    Mute James O Conner
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    May 4th 2016, 10:53 AM

    I’d say your great craic in the pub Nathan

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    Mute Nathan Wheeler
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    May 4th 2016, 10:55 AM

    I will take that as a compliment !

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    Mute Ted Murray
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    May 4th 2016, 11:14 AM

    I think they’re more capitalunists these days.

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    Mute Sean Johnston
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    May 4th 2016, 11:17 AM

    You think they were bad Commies? Wait until this embracement of capitalism has run its course. We’ll be lucky if anyone is left alive to tell the tale.

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    Mute Barry Casey
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    May 4th 2016, 12:53 PM

    When do you think that will be Sean? I’ll put your Nostradamus type prediction down in my diary

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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    May 4th 2016, 11:19 AM

    27 years for a political non-violent protest. And we think we have a corrupt system.

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    Mute Ó Connmhaigh
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    May 4th 2016, 1:22 PM

    Didn’t stop president Higgins and Irish politicians doing business with them.
    And then Higgins has the gall to tell the British that “a policy of amnesia won’t do” when it comes to facing up to injustices. Another cucumber sandwich, Dobby?

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    Mute Jeremiah A Craic
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    May 4th 2016, 10:45 AM

    A great bunch of lads

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    Mute Old Gordon
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    May 4th 2016, 12:55 PM

    Although they might be nominally communist, China does have some admirable traits. Without elections, they can plan long term without the issue of a new shower of moronic politicians ruining everything every five years.

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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    May 4th 2016, 1:06 PM

    And they would know how to deal effectively with water protestors.

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    Mute James Stratford
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    May 4th 2016, 5:17 PM

    Not everything is about water!

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    Mute John Reid
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    May 4th 2016, 3:02 PM

    The people who vote for the likes of the Marxist/socialist so-called People Before Profit, Anti-Austerity Alliance and Sinn Fein should read more articles like this, and about Venezuela and the rest of the countries which have adopted socialist/communist governments.

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    Mute David Clarke
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    May 4th 2016, 1:47 PM

    And your buddies Leo who have robbed this country blind and caused the deaths of hundreds who took their own life and sometimes took their kids as well you proud of that Leo the lion yea c.nt

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    Mute Pat Walsh
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    May 4th 2016, 1:36 PM

    Poor man, he may have been better off with the death sentence.

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    Mute paul kelly
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    May 4th 2016, 3:10 PM

    I love chicken curry

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