Local MEP says it's past time for EU to "get serious" about CAP funding

A local MEP says it's past time for the EU Parliament to "get serious" about funding for the Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Cowen says a proposed 20 percent cut to the CAP budget this year is unacceptable.

He adds it's unfair that agriculture be asked to carry the burden of wider budget pressure.

MEP Cowen says he welcomes growing resistance to the reductions within the parliament, and believes alternatives can be found.