Carol Nolan on EU solidarity: protect farmers and cohesion funds
Carol Nolan criticised divisions exposed by the marathon Council meeting and urged urgent protection for the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy. She warned that continued cuts and devaluation of payments disproportionately disadvantage Ireland's farmers and called for immediate flexibility measures in response to COVID-19.
Council meeting and differing perspectives
The speaker said the marathon meeting of the Council ended in a resolution but exposed huge variations in perspective across the Union. She criticised the view, especially from the so-called frugal four, that other states are irresponsible and need to be minded like financial children, calling that stance deeply insulting and damaging to solidarity.
Demand for urgent flexibility in EU funds
She noted that the Taoiseach welcomed the retention of significant funding to protect the common agricultural policy but insisted the detail must be seen. She recalled the Council's February proposal introduced increased flexibility in cohesion and agriculture and said a second flexibility package has been added because of COVID-19, covering implementation rules under the cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy and the concentration of European rural development supports.
Concerns about erosion of farm payments
Citing the President of the ICMSA, she highlighted a "constant erosion and devaluation of payments" and relentless downward pressure on direct payments to farmers. She warned this trend has disadvantaged Ireland disproportionately and demanded an end to the downward pressure on payments.
Solidarity and protection for vulnerable sectors
The speaker argued that if EU solidarity is to mean anything it must show itself in protecting vulnerable and hardest-hit sectors, like agriculture and rural development. She pressed for urgent action and full details on how cohesion and CAP supports will be maintained and implemented in the face of the pandemic.
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Mahaigut Cahirleach. While the Marathon meeting of the Council finally ended in a resolution of sorts, it also served to expose the huge variations in perspective that exists within the Union in terms of how we are going to tackle the crisis. There is a view out there, especially among the so-called frugal four, that the rest of Europe is somehow irresponsible, or that we need to be minded like financial children. While the financial adults in those states make up the grown-up decisions. This is deeply insulting and does not bode well for the future sense of solidarity being maintained. I know from your own perspective, the Taoiseach's perspective, that he has welcomed the retention of the significant funding to protect the common agricultural policy. But we really need to see the detail of that. I am aware that the Council's February proposal introduced a number of increased flexibility measures in the areas of cohesion and agriculture, and that, in view of the effects of the COVID-19, a second flexibility package is now added concerning the implementation rules under the cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy, as well as the concentration of European rural development supports. This must happen as a matter of urgency. We must see an end to what the President of the ICMSA recently called the constant erosion and devaluation of payments. He has correctly noted that there has also been a relentless downward pressure on direct payments to farmers, and that this has disadvantaged Ireland disproportionately. If EU solidarity is to mean anything, it must show itself in the protection of vulnerable and hardest hit sectors, like agriculture and rural development. We must know that. We must see an end touropeas. Yes, I will. hope you will see any differences. Amen, I will. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. He wants to advocate for the cohesion policy. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President is, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President, the cohesion policy of the foreign policy and this is the Department of чтоб of federal policy.
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