Sinn Féin's spokesperson for agriculture, Martin Kenny has expressed serious concern at reports of a proposal by the European Commission to end the two pillar Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget and merge the CAP budget with other cohesion funds.

In documents seen by Agriland, it is stated that 2024-2029 Political Guidelines of the European Commission call for a CAP that is “more targeted and finds the right balance between incentives, investment and regulation and ensures that farmers have a fair and sufficient income”.

According to the TD, the CAP budget has been in place for over 60 years and Irish family farms have been receiving support from CAP for over 50 years.

Speaking about the budget proposals, Deputy Kenny said: "This leaked document proposing an end of the current two pillar CAP budget is very concerning for farmers across the EU, including Irish family farms. 

"CAP was established in 1962 to support farm incomes, ensure food security, and promote rural development in the EU.

"This proposal to merge CAP with other cohesion funding is, I believe, a threat to food security in the EU and to Irish farming," he added.

Deputy Kenny believes that the proposal will have the "biggest impact" on the farming community, but said that it will also impact on the wider rural community.

The Sligo - Leitrim TD has called on the government to oppose the proposal.

He said: "We need to have a ringfenced budget for agriculture with a guaranteed income stream for farmers, or else we will see our small family farms being pushed out of business and increases in the cost of food for consumers. “The minister and government must oppose this proposal and fight to keep the current two pillar CAP budget model," Deputy Kenny added.

The European Commission are set to reveal the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) tomorrow (Wednesday, July 16).