FARMERS in Donegal have
the lowest Single Farm Payment in the country,
according to figures revealed by Marian Harkin MEP.
"Last time out, counties like Donegal fared very
badly with an average of €179 per hectare, the
lowest in the country. There was however a certain
rebalancing with pillar two or rural development
payments," she said. "While these payments helped to
narrow the gap somewhat in the first few years, the
subsequent severe cuts to pillar two schemes such as
REPS, Disadvantaged Areas, Suckler Cow Welfare
Scheme cut many farmers in Donegal off at the knees.
This has left many farmers struggling to survive and
this time out Donegal must not lose out like the
last time in pillar one payments," she added.
"The last time out some farmers secured a
substantial Single Farm Payment, while others were
left behind. I would not support a complete
flattening of the payment which would give every
farmer an average payment of approx €260 per/ha but
we need to move from a situation where some farmers
receive payments of €600 to over €1000 per/ ha while
others have to survive on payments as low as €30 to
€150 per/ha.
"We also need a commitment from the Minister that he
will fully co-fund pillar two payments and that he
will push to ensure a meaningful agreement on
coupling. This will help to ensure the viability of
the suckler and sheep sector," she added. |
