Agri-industry survival tops SDLP meeting agenda

The SDLP in Newry and Armagh hosted a public meeting in Crossmaglen on Tuesday Night to discuss the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy and how it will impact on the survival of the agriculture and agri-food industry in Ireland for the years ahead.

The meeting was organised by local Assembly Member Dominic Bradley MLA and guest speakers included Eamon Ó Cuív TD (Fianna Fáil) Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture in Dáil Éireann and SDLP Agriculture spokesperson Joe Byrne MLA.

Bradley said, “In recent weeks we have become all too aware of the huge pressure on our Agriculture and Agri-Food industries and there is a real fear that the on-going review of the CAP could have a detrimental impact on farm families across Europe should there be substantial changes to the support for farming under the current policy.

“Tonight local farmers in South Armagh engaged with political representatives from Stormont and Dáil Éireann and let them know of their concerns for the future of the farming industry.

“The Irish Government have just taken over the Presidency of the Council of the EU and CAP Reform is high on their agenda for the coming months.

Bradley added, “Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney TD has already addressed SDLP meetings on the future of the Agri-Food Industry and on the Common Agriculture Policy reform and tonight’s meeting with Eamon Ó Cuív and Joe Byrne is just the latest in our round of meetings on this extremely important issue.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Feb 8 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry