A moderate majority of farmers appear opposed to what is shaping up to be the most significant reshuffling of farm income supports in decades as 57% of respondents to an Irish Farmers Journal survey have indicated that they stand opposed to the planned abolition of entitlements.

Brussels’ plans for the next CAP would scrap the current system of basing payments per hectare in area-based schemes on entitlements tied to historic levels of production.

The European Commission plans would see a flat rate paid out to the average farmer, with top ups available for groups deemed to be “most in need” as it suggested that young farmers, small farms, mixed farms and female farmers are among those requiring payment boosts.

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Just over one year on from the publication of these proposals, member states and MEPs look to be on board while 57% of farmers surveyed rejected them.

Suckler farmers (68%) and tillage farmers (62%) voiced the strongest levels of opposition to the plans to axe entitlements and bring about full convergence.

Some 57% of sheep farmers indicated they would back the change, with sheep being the only sector supportive of the move.

The dairy sector was almost evenly split between supporters (48%) and opposers (52%).

When asked a follow-up question on which groups they thought should receive a top up over the baseline flat-rate payment, 43% opted for young farmers, 39% for small farmers and 36% chose lower income sectors.

One in five stated that farmers in Areas of Natural Constraint or designated land ought to be in line for a top up and one-seventh said that female farmers should.

Mixed views

The survey allowed farmers free rein to leave unprompted comments on their view of the debate around a full flattening of area-based payments.

The most common theme among those who commented was that the move could allow payments be targeted at genuine and active farmers, rather than “armchair” farmers who own land that they do not work themselves.

Farmers also argued that payments ought to reflect levels of productivity and not just the agricultural area applied for.

A chunk of farmers who voiced support for scrapping entitlements stated that they see the reform as supporting a fairer distribution of CAP payments to the farm sector.