Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is near the end of this parliamentary term and the implementation of the 2020-2027 programme will fall to the Parliament to be elected in May. It is vital that Ireland is represented by progressive MEPs who will demand fairness and equality for our farmers. The challenge now rests with the Government to protect the family farm and the agricultural sector, as more autonomy will be given to member states in the application of the new CAP.

This is a real opportunity for Ireland to right the wrongs of the past and to right the wrongs of the reference years and the entitlements that had been given that led to such inequalities for farmers, and especially for farmers in the west of Ireland and on marginalised land.