THE NAME and home town of every farmer in the country who received payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) in 2008 were published on the internet last night. Some 550 farmers and companies received more than €100,000 each in payments.
The Department of Agriculture said just over €2 billion was paid out to Irish farmers and companies in the 12-month period from October 16th, 2007 to October 15th, 2008. The department’s website, www.agriculture.gov.ie, listed several big companies among the largest recipients.
According to the website, Greencore group plc topped the list with payments of €83,377,557. The Irish Dairy Board Co-op was in second place with €6,551,384. Kerry Ingredients Ireland was third with €5,056,628.
Among the individual farmers to receive the largest payments were Tom and Aoife Browne from Killeagh, Co Cork. They were paid a total of €432,564.
Tim Sheahan from Mallow, Co Cork received a total of €381,892.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture last night said European Commission legislation required all member states to publish details of payments.
Other companies listed as Cap beneficiaries were Dublin-based RA Bailey, which was paid €2,861,538. Glanbia Foods Society Ltd, based in Dungarvan, Co Waterford received a total of €558,182.
Commercial Mushroom PRS Co-op in Co Monaghan was listed as having received €2,851,824.
Ashbourne Meat Processors received €1,164,792, while Rosderra Irish Meats Group was paid €715,218.
A total of €698,123 went to Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland in Co Limerick, Co Cavan-based Abbott Ireland received €680,898 and Oliver McAvinia Ltd in Drogheda Co Meath €664,911.
The president of The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, Malcolm Thompson, said he disagreed with the publication of farmers’ details on the Department of Agriculture’s website. “Farmers have nothing to hide but it does seem a bit much that details of private income are open to all and sundry. Why should such things be open for everyone to see?”
In September of last year, The Irish Timesreported that the public would be able to download details of what farmers received from the European Union in the previous year.
Cap beneficiaries: top 25
1. Greencore group plc Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 €83,377,557
2. The Irish Dairy Board Co-op Lr Mount St, Dublin 2 €6,551,384
3. Kerry Ingredients Ireland Listowel, Co Kerry €5,056,628
4. R A Bailey ltd Western Ind Estate, Dublin 12 €2,861,538
5. Commercial Mushroom PRS Co-op Co Monaghan €2,851,824
6. Ashbourne Meat Processors Naas, Co Kildare €1,164,792
7. Rosderra Irish Meats Group Edenderry, Co Offaly €715,218
8. Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland Askeaton, Co Limerick €698,123
9. Abbott Irl Cootehill, Co Cavan €680,898
10. Oliver Mcavinia Ltd Drogheda, Co Meath €664,911
11. Glanbia Foods Society Ltd Dungarvan, Co Waterford €558,182
12.Irish Agricultural Develop Dundalk, Co Louth €506,453
13. Kildare Exports Ltd Kildare Town, Co Kildare €460,142
14. Kildare Chilling Co Kildare Town, Co Kildare €457,057
15. Dewfresh Mushroom PO Ltd Tara, Co Meath €447,160
16. Tom Aoife Browne Killeagh, Co Cork €432,564
17. Tim Sheahan Mallow, Co Cork €381,892
18. Walter Furlong Enniscorthy, Co Wexford €372,578
19. C C International LtdClonmel, Co Tipperary €348,249
20. Kepak Farm Dunboyne, Co Meath €339,307
21. Terence Coughlan Rathcormac, Co Cork €337,567
22. Denis Howard Mallow, Co Cork €330,906
23. Corman Miloko Ireland Ltd Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary €329,845
24. Dairygold Food Ingreds. ltd Mitchelstown, Co Cork €327,695
25. John BrophyTullow, Co Carlow €324,794
