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HomeBeef60% TAMS for women in CAP gets green light
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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60% TAMS for women in CAP gets green light

The Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group (WASG) has welcomed news that measures in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will support females.

The group recommended the following in its CAP submission:

  • Women over 40 should have access to a 60% TAMS grant;
  • Also, women should have the option of joining female-only groups.

Next CAP

In a statement this afternoon (Wednesday), WASG chair, Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, said:

“We welcome the news that both of these measures have been included in the Department CAP plans. Today is a proud moment to be a woman working on Irish farms.”

“Credit to Minister Charlie McConalogue and his team within the DAFM for listening to WASG and acting on its policy suggestions.”

She said credit is also due to all the farm organisations and stakeholders, including the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra na Feirme, IOA and INHFA, for their support on this.

“Less than 4% of all TAMS payments went to female farmers. Just 3,000 women (out of 19,000 participants) took part in the previous KT scheme.

“This will make a huge change to the lives of the 70,000 women working on farms across the country who have been effectively voiceless and invisible up to now.”

Quinn-Mulligan said the next step would be to iron out details to ensure that both measures are “effective and not misused in any way”.

“It is a very positive first step which will make a difference to a generation of women farming in Ireland.”

‘Leaving no one without recognition

The ICMSA WASG representative, Vanessa Kiely O’Connor, said they engaged with the DAFM and the Oireachtas Agricultural Committee throughout the CAP Submission process.

“The Irish state’s commitment to gender inclusivity through CAP here will not only have a positive effect on all women in agriculture here in Ireland but send ripples across the EU,” she said.

“Personally, it has been an honour to work with the other WASG members on getting this very important submission through.”

“As an ICMSA representative in the group, my view is that the opportunities for women through CAP will strengthen family farms now and into the future, leaving no one without recognition.”

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