EU Commission & all major Irish farm organisations to address “Future of Irish Farming” seminar hosted by MEP Matt Carthy in Castleblayney this Friday
A representative from the European Commission will present an outline of their proposals for the next round of the Common Agriculture Policy at a seminar hosted by Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy to be held in the Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney this Friday the 9th of November at 8pm. The seminar entitled “The Future of Irish Farming” will also be addressed by leading representatives from all major Irish farm organisations.
It is expected, that as well as discussions on the upcoming CAP reform process, that contributions will also focus on the other significant issues currently affecting farmers and rural communities including Brexit, concerns of Unfair Trading Practices by retailers & processors and the ongoing price challenges faced by farmers.
Speakers at the seminar will include Joe Brady, rural development chairperson of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA); Colm O’Donnell, President of the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA); James Healy, President of Macra Na Feirme; Lorcan McCabe, Deputy-President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Ger Grehan, National Vice Beef Chair of the Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) and Wesley Aston, CEO of the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU). Sinn Fein Agriculture spokesperson and TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Martin Kenny, will outline the party’s priorities for Irish farming in the coming period. Each speaker will be given an opportunity to respond to the presentation that will be delivered by the representative from the EU Commission’s DG Agriculture as well as outlining their respective organisations policies on pertinent issues.
There will also be an interaction with those in attendance so that people can ask questions of guests or make short comments regarding their own views on how to support agriculture during these challenging times.
Speaking ahead of the seminar Matt Carthy MEP commented:
“These are incredibly challenging times for anyone working in farming and for those who have concerns for the future of our rural communities. Brexit has clearly created huge uncertainty but when added to the new CAP reform and a dangerous EU trade agenda it is no exaggeration to suggest that Irish Agriculture as we know it could face fundamental change in the time ahead. It is vital that communities are informed of these challenges and that we discuss the political options available to tackle them. Our seminar hopes to inject into the debate a sense that, collectively, we can ensure a future for Irish family farming but it will take political will and imagination.
“Friday’s event will be a rare opportunity for people to join senior representatives from all major farm organisations on the island of Ireland, in the presence of the European Commission, to hear the various positions but also to make their own contribution to this debate. While obviously this seminar will be of particular interest to farmers I would also encourage others to join us as this issue will affect every family, parish, town and village across rural Ireland.”
ENDS
