The European Commission's proposal to stop income support for older farmers who have a pension as part of its new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plan has been slammed by the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture.

Deputy Martin Kenny said the the proposal from the commission to "cut area-based payments to farmers who are in receipt of a pension is outrageous and must be opposed completely".

"But forcing older farmers off the land is not the way to go," he said.

The Sligo-Leitrim TD said the move had the potential to impact on thousands of Irish farmers - many of whom "are still actively farming and producing quality produce".

The commission unveiled its plans for CAP as part of its proposals for the EU's next long term budget - the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.

It outlined that a total of €300 billion has been ringfenced for farmers in the next long-term EU budget – down from €386.6 billion previously.

But the proposals have been met with widespread criticism from Irish MEPs and farm organisations who claim they will have a dire impact on family farms.

According to Teagasc, the average age of Irish farmers is 58 years, with 33% of the farming population being over 65 years.

It said that when these figures are broken down by sector, the average age of farmers is 54 years on dairy farms, 59 years on cattle farms, 56 years on sheep farms, and 58 years on tillage farms.

Deputy Kenny said that Sinn Féin believes older farmers should be "supported the same as all other farmers and encouraged to establish a succession partnership with a young farmer".

"They cannot be cast to one side and forced off the land.

We are looking at a long term of negotiations on how this budget will be implemented and Ireland will hold the presidency of the EU during this time," he warned.

The Sligo-Leitrim TD said his party will be campaigning for CAP money to be "ringfenced for Irish agriculture and to protect and support the Irish family farm.”