Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed proposals by the European Commission to simplify the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).

The European Commission’s proposals change a set of environmental and climate standards that determine whether farmers can receive CAP subsidies. The proposals will result in a more flexible and simpler CAP.

Senator McGreehan said: “I am delighted that the Commission’s proposals to simplify the CAP for farmers have been approved by the EU’s Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA). I know the burden that is on all farmers to bureaucratically comply with the regulations.

“Farmers are working diligently to work with the schemes and carrying out the necessary actions whilst also trying to keep their family farms functioning. It is very hard to make a living these days through farming. Cost of production inputs are continuously increasing while regulatory demands on farmers are also increasing.

“Despite this, EU support payments are far lower than they were decades ago. There is something very wrong with that. We also now have a serious issue of a fodder crisis. Last year was a disaster for growing fodder and this year, with the wet weather, animals cannot go back on the land.

“Farming families need a break. These proposals, which will reduce the burden on smaller farms in terms of inspections and potential penalties and recognise the practicalities of farming at a small scale will give farmers more stability and space. I know my party colleague, Minister McConalogue, will continue to work at the European level on the CAP to ensure it is strong and effective and supports farmers.”