Over 400 people attended and a couple of hundred couldn’t get admission to the CAP consultation event in Brussels. The purpose of the conference was to share the views collected in the 12-week consultation that ran between February and May and allow delegates make comments or give further feedback.

European commissioner for agriculture Phil Hogan (pictured) opened the event and the first session was dominated by the revelation of the responses to the 32 questions that made up the consultation.

Overall, the response to the consultation was the largest ever received. The overall number of replies, at almost 323,000, was distorted by a campaign of over 250,000 structured responses organised by the environmental lobby organisation Living Land.

Nevertheless, with 58,520 replies online from individuals and organisations and 1,423 position papers, it was the largest response ever. The last consultation had 5,700 replies, so there is no denying this consultation attracted huge interest.

Support for CAP to stay

There was general consensus on keeping a common agriculture policy. The idea of a common market across EU member states secured over 90% support, as did the wish to have a common international trade policy, with 83% support.

On the issues of climate change, environmental protection and market uncertainties, there was also a general consensus of support. Respondent preferred collective EU action over renationalisation of agricultural policy. There was, however, a difference of emphasis on where responsibilities should be divided between the EU and member states.

Low farmer incomes

There was also a general realisation that farmers' incomes are below the EU average, while they face additional demands. Access to land and low income were identified as the biggest challenges.

On the issue of the environment, there was also considerable agreement. All respondents agreed on the need to protect biodiversity, reduce soil degradation, and support sustainable use of pesticides and fertiliser. This agreement extended to the view that the current CAP only partially addresses these – over 60% have a negative view of the present CAP’s success in addressing environmental issues.

Environment and animal welfare

There was strong support for providing income support for farmers and improving their position in the value chain. There was also strong support from everyone for the need to deliver more benefits for the environment.

While farmer responses invariably focused on income support, wider responses were exercised by the environment, healthy and quality products, with a focus on animal welfare.

Irish participation

There was a strong Irish participation in the conference beyond the Commissioner and his team. Former IFA president John Bryan spoke in his role as rapporteur of the European Economic and Social Committee on a possible reshaping of the CAP.

The IFA participated through its president Joe Healy, director general Damien McDonald and European director Liam MacHale. Healy said the most important issue was that “member states must take into account the need for adequate funding to support the many economic, social and environmental benefits that are delivered through CAP".

Ireland needs a fully funded CAP. We’ve benefited hugely from it and we still need it

ICMSA president John Comer also focused on the budget, saying: “Ireland needs a fully funded CAP. We’ve benefited hugely from it and we still need it."

Macra had delivered its response to the consultation in person to Commissioner Hogan earlier this year. Its president James Healy told the Irish Farmers Journal at the end of the conference: "It is very encouraging to hear the genuine focus within the European Commission on addressing generational renewal in the future CAP."

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