Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is probably a continuation of our previous questions. For very many farmers, the issue is, as the Minister states, 100% of the income comes from those payments. That is the problem. For very many of them, the payments are too low and they are not able to manage. There is an opportunity with CAP to do something about that with basic and direct payments. I suggest there should be targeting of small farmers and, for example, perhaps the first 15 ha could see a higher payment rate, the next 15 ha could see a medium payment rate and there would be a lower rate for the remainder. Most of the basic payment would be front-loaded towards the smaller family farm. Across Europe and the world, it is the model most people want. On the other side we have the areas of natural constraint, ANC, payments and we need to target them more so as to ensure the smaller family farm gets more of those payments.

The problem is many sectors, particularly sheep and cattle or suckler cow farmers do not have other options. The dairy farmers are doing very well and more power to them. We are all delighted to see them doing very well and it is great to see it but the other sectors need more assistance and help. I will come back about the marketing of the products.

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