Ag Commissioners position means that public lobby of MEPs vital

A positive result on the forthcoming CAP talks will have a significant impact on the potential to create jobs locally, claims Denis Naughten TD.

However, a successful result for Ireland will not be easy especially in light of recent comments by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolos, during a recent visit to Dublin.

“It is clear that the EU Commission position on the CAP talks will not benefit Ireland, Irish farmers or local food businesses and it is now vital that the public takes this campaign directly to MEPs throughout Europe, who have an equal say to that of the EU Commission,” explained Denis Naughten.

Denis Naughten is calling on the public, and in particular farm families, to commence a lobbying campaign of MEPs throughout Europe to secure a good deal for Ireland and the Irish agri-food sector.

His call is being supported by Cllrs. Domnick Connolly and Laurence Fallon, both of whom have direct experience of the agri-food sector and its potential in County Roscommon.

“We need a united campaign from people relying on agriculture and the agri-food sector to ensure that Europe’s MEPs are fully aware of the issues surrounding reform of the Common Agricultural Policy,” stated Deputy Naughten.

“The campaign must focus on MEPs who, for the first time in the history of the EU, has a co-decision role in the approval of the CAP reforms and budget along with the European Parliament.”

Cllr. Fallon added: ”We are asking Irish people living in other parts of Europe to direct a standard letter to their local MEP highlighting concerns regarding the CAP reforms and the need to ensure that the new policy supports food production in countries like Ireland.

“We are also encouraging people to write to their national politicians as well as each parliamentary Agriculture Committee in the 27 member states, which will also have a role to play in the adoption of the new CAP regime.”

Denis Naughten pointed out: “Over the last number of years thousands of people have been forced to emigrate all over Europe and we are requesting that their family encourage them to write directly to their local MEP, be it in the UK, Belgium, Italy or elsewhere, to ensure that the proposed reform of the Common Agriculture Policy supports food security and price stability.”

“We need to get the message across to MEPs that it is vital that they support the protection of the EU CAP budget and ensure that the new CAP allows Member States, including Ireland, the greatest level of flexibility possible for the implementation of the new reform programme,” concluded Cllr. Connolly.

Your Address:

Dear My MP/MEP,

I write to you as a concerned constituent regarding the proposed reform of the Common Agriculture Policy by the EC and its implications for food security & price stability.

As you are aware the European Parliament has for the first time a co-decision role in the approval of the CAP reforms.

The underlying principles of CAP are:

-To allow the farmers of Europe to feed the people of Europe

-To do so in an environmentally sustainable way

-While protecting the viability of rural communities

However, the proposals as they stand have the potential to restrict EU food production & increase red tape which will threaten security of supply and price volatility within the EU.

This action comes at the same time as warnings from the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) which projects that existing farmland will have to see major sustainable intensification to meet the projected 70% increase in world demand for food by 2050.

And it must be remembered that the EU is still dependent on food imports, which in 2008 required food production on 35m ha from outside the EU. This is an area equivalent to the size of Germany.

I would therefore request that you would at a minimum firstly, support the protection of the EU CAP budget and secondly, allow Member States the greatest level of flexibility possible for the implementation of the new CAP reform programme to ensure security of food supply and price stability.

I look forward to a favourable response to this request.

Yours sincerely,

A. Constituent