 |
 |
Lyon to address ASA Conference
September 10, 2010 10:10 AM
George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, will today make a speech to the Agricultural Science Association Conference in County Carlow, Ireland.
Mr Lyon will outline the challenges that the Irish agricultural sector will face with reform to the Common Agricultural Policy.
Mr Lyon will share the stage with Brendan Smith TD, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and John Bryan, President of the Irish Farmers Association.
In his speech, Mr Lyon will say:
"The greatest threat to Irish farming comes from the debate on the EU budget.
"There are three key drivers in this debate. Firstly, huge pressure is building up across Europe for budget cuts from finance ministers in cash strapped Member States who need to find savings.
"Secondly, there is pressure from those who wish to see the CAP budget slashed and the money re-directed to other priorities such as climate change and economic recovery through job creation.
"We have already seen that threat emerge in the leaked Commission draft budget paper last November.
"On top of that you have the demand from new Member States for a greater share of the cake when distributing direct payments.
"Ireland could lose out if that argument prevails.
"So there is a real threat of a triple whammy on the budget leading to a substantial cut in direct payments to Irish farmers.
"On top of that we will see the ending the historic based payment system and a move to an area based system. This will be a painful process as many farmers will either be substantial winners or losers.
"As we discovered in Scotland, at least in the public debate on this issue, every farmer claimed he would lose out and no one would admit publicly to being a winner.
"It's for these reasons that I believe this could turn out to be one of the most difficult reforms since the original McSharry reforms of 1992."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- George Lyon MEP
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats