MED Committee member John Barron was part of an ICSA delegation to Brussels this week as part of a Farm to Fork Agri Expo. John who is well known in both farming and community circles (because of his involvement with MED Partnership and ICSA) runs a suckler and beef finishing operation at Ballymagroarty, near Ballintra, Co. Donegal. He has a justified reputation for producing top quality animals on his 80 hectare farm. This event presented a unique opportunity for John to highlight the problems faced by farmers in the North West of Ireland. As he pointed out in his speech:
“We are farming in some of the most disadvantaged land in Europe. Daily we have to overcome the challenged of climate, the problems of poorer soil, and the fact that many of us are farming at higher elevations. Yet we are committed to producing the best food we can, utilising the resources we have. Even though we are on the edge of Europe, we are also in the heart of Europe.”
The ICSA delegation was hosted by MEP Jim Higgins.
The following piece is a brief outline taken from Jim Higgins official website. We will publish John’s reflections on the trip together with photographs soon.
Jim Higgins stated that;
“Importantly this event will coincide with the conclusion of both the Irish Presidency and the CAP negotiations.”
“The CAP accounts for 85% of Irish EU funding, guaranteeing over €1.5 billion per year for Ireland. However we need to ensure that this is distributed in a fair manner – one which protects active farmers and makes farming a real career choice for our young. At present only 7% of Irish farmers are under 35 years of age and 25% are over 70 years.”
“I have sponsored a North West ICSA delegation, with participants from Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Cavan and Monaghan, to partake in this event. The farmers will meet key policy makers to discuss the new CAP and the impact the proposed changes will have on their farms and families.”
“The ICSA delegation will put a human face to the Irish AGRI industry. It’s an opportunity to highlight what works in the Irish AGRI industry & what areas need extra assistance.”
“The exhibition will take place from the 24th to the 28th of June and will co-inside with the last AGRI Council Session of the Irish Presidency. It is very important that the Irish AGRI sector remain as visible as possible during this time, this Council Session is absolutely crucial as the outcome will be a new CAP.”
“This is exactly the type of international exposure that the Irish agricultural industry needs. The Irish Presidency places Ireland at the centre of EU decision making and I’m using that opportunity to push for a fairer CAP for the people of the North West of Ireland.”
ICSA DELEGATION:
John Barron, Ballintra, Co. Donegal
Austin Stevenson, Killygordon, Co. Donegal
Patrick Loughnane, Loughrea, Co. Galway
Cathal O’Reilly, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
Ian Kelly, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Edmond Graham, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
Paul Brady, Ballinagh, Co. Cavan
The event will be held in the main European Parliament building, where an average of 10,000 people pass daily. The exhibition will offer participants an opportunity to learn about the different types of Irish farms, while sampling traditional Irish food, amid a substantial backdrop of scenic photos of the North West.
(Source – Jim Higgins MEP Website – www.jimhiggins.ie/ – 28/06/2013 – Sunday, 23 June 201314:39 – Written by EP Office)
Listen to John Barron’s interview on BBC Radio on the subject of Bovine TB and badger culling here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b021106p