Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy payments is 'vital' and could 'breathe new life into rural Ireland'. The claim comes from the environmental lobby group Friends of the Irish Environment in advance of the Farmer's March tomorrow.

Under the current system 80% of the funds go to 25% of the farmers. Europe proposes to change the way it provides Irish farmers with subsidies from 2013 onwards by paying a flat rate approx €275 per hectare farmed by 2019.

While the Minister for Agriculture admits that many Member States already have such flat rates or are evolving towards them, he claims that 'the losses would be incurred by more productive farmers' which would have 'undesirable consequences' for the ambitious targets set in Food Harvest 2020.

Objecting to 'the pace and extent of convergence' he is advocating 'approximation' and a 'back-loaded transition process'. He is also opposed to the provision of 30% of the funds for 'greening' which would benefit extensive rural farmers rather than intensive milk and beef production units.

However FIE's statement calls the proposed changes 'a salvation for the farmers on disadvantaged lands in rural Ireland - 70% of Ireland's farm land.'

'The result of this reversal in payments would be a transforming boost to rural economies with the payments going directly to small farmers and local economies, supporting towns and villages, schools, post offices and local shops.'

'It would also ensure the viability of small holdings, whose contribution to biodiversity exceeds any product value from increased stock production as a range of economic studies shows.'

'The public is not aware of the stark reality of the fact that it is they who are paying to support a current loss making sector. Without CAP payments Irish agriculture would have made a loss of €800 million in 2010, up from €600 million in 2009.'

'Organizations and lobby groups outside the agriculture sector must bring pressure to bear on the Government to ensure that the CAP reforms are allowed to proceed and the debate over the future of farming subsides is not left to the agricultural sector alone.' 

'In truth, what's proposed by the EU is far more just, equitable and beneficial for rural Ireland than what's there right now - but Ireland's very own Minister is opposing sensible reform in favour of keeping as much money as possible channeled into agri-business interests and ultra-large farmers with the biggest landholdings.

Michael Davitt, Charles Stewart Parnell and John Healy would turn in their graves if they could see the progressive reform being opposed by Ireland's current minister.'

Verification and further information: Tony Lowes 027 74771 / 087 2176316