Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some 80% of CAP funding goes to 20% of farmers which means there is a large proportion of smaller farmers who want to stay in the industry but will not be able to unless they are supported under the new CAP. Measures must be built in. The Commissioner has a number of proposals in that regard. Although I would support some of what the Commissioner is saying we must ensure that active farmers are supported. We do not yet have a definition of what the Department views as an active farmer and we need some clarity on that issue. We also need to ensure smaller farmers are supported. All the talk is about active farmers and large agrifood businesses and we all support those people because they provide productive farming. However, the smaller farmer also needs to be encouraged and supported to stay on the land.