THERE was a general welcome in Cork and Kerry for the CAP package, but in both counties farmers and farm leaders said that difficulties still remained.
Mr Billy Nicholson, who farms extensively in the Crosshaven area of Co Cork, said: "I suppose we expected the worst-case scenario and the negotiators achieved an improvement. The beef price cut of 20 per cent, instead of 30 per cent, was much better than the original proposal, and things are not as distasteful as they might have been.
"But Irish farmers are still in trouble. The difference is that throughout other European farming sectors beef prices are ranging from 90p a lb up to £1.30 a lb. Here at home we are getting below 80p a lb. We are still only scraping through and we are receiving beef prices that might have applied 10 or 15 years ago. It's still very hard to be a farmer in Ireland."
Ms Mary Bugler, who farms a 130-acre holding at Innishannon, Co Cork, was extremely concerned about the future before the CAP negotiations began. However, she said yesterday that the outcome would help to stabilise Irish farming, particularly the beef sector.
There was a lot of uncertainty about the sheep sector, according to Ms Bugler. "I haven't heard sheep mentioned and I have a feeling that, following the CAP negotiations, there won't be too many sheep left around the country," she said.
"I spoke to the Minister last Saturday and I know that he was under pressure to get sheep on to the agenda at the talks. As of now, I am not clear whether the sheep sector has been included, and we will have to wait to be given an explanation. I'm happy about the beef sector. It's a big improvement. At least people involved in beef know now where they stand."
Mr Tim O'Leary, speaking on behalf of Co Cork members of the Irish Farmers' Association, said that the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and his team of negotiators had succeeded in heading off the worst-case scenario.
"Things are better than they might have been," he said. "On the other hand, if beef prices are down by 20 per cent, the likelihood is that the price of sheep will follow. It's a bit early yet to be definitive, but, all told, it seems as if the deal will allow Irish farmers to continue farming for the next six years. The package brokered in Brussels has been helpful but not brilliant."
Mr Don McNamara, chairman of the IFA in Co Kerry, said that he was very happy at the outcome considering what had been on offer at the outset. He expressed appreciation to the Minister, who had negotiated in Brussels under extremely difficult circumstances. "It was a major achievement and, while there will still be consequences for Irish farmers, I think you would have to applaud the Minister and his team for the overall deal. Joe Walsh did a good deal. We're still going to lose farmers who are in straitened circumstances. But, under the circumstances, the Government did a good job."