The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has criticised plans by the European Commission which suggest it will put forward measures to merge the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding with other streams.
IFA president Francie Gorman was speaking from Brussels after a draft Commission proposal was leaked on Monday, which the association has described as “concerning”.
Currently, the CAP provides an annual injection of nearly €2bn into the Irish rural economy to support food production. However, the proposals look to lower this funding. Gorman argued that the CAP is being turned into an environmental and social policy.
“Support for farmers who are producing the most food is being consistently reduced. The Commission seem more interested in finding ways to cut payments to individual farmers rather than support them,” he said.
“While we will have to examine the specifics in more detail, it is clear that the [European] Commission is downgrading the importance of the CAP and food production to allow for greater spending elsewhere.”
‘Battle’
Ireland will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2026.
The IFA said this will now bring added importance to this role to secure the maximum funding for Irish farmers and to encourage the next generation to consider farming as a career.
Ireland will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2026.
“At a time when Ireland is a net contributor to the overall EU budget, this level of investment in every parish takes on even more significance.
“CAP has been the cornerstone of the multi-billion export sector that underpins thousands of jobs in regions far from the urban centres.”
Parliament
In addition, Gorman said the European Parliament will also have a critical role to play in the ultimate ratification of the overall budget and the CAP.
“These proposals will have to be approved by the member states and the [European] Parliament, so there is a long journey ahead and we will expect a real fight from our Government and MEPs,” added Gorman.
“We will be looking to our Irish MEPs to build alliances with colleagues to ensure that direct supports for farm families are not diminished.
“There’s a huge amount at stake over the next 12 months and it will take a huge effort from everybody to secure an outcome that points to a positive future for our largest indigenous sector.”
Read more
European Parliament will reject ‘centralised mega-fund’ CAP – MEP
Two CAP pillars to be merged in EU budget shake-up
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has criticised plans by the European Commission which suggest it will put forward measures to merge the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding with other streams.
IFA president Francie Gorman was speaking from Brussels after a draft Commission proposal was leaked on Monday, which the association has described as “concerning”.
Currently, the CAP provides an annual injection of nearly €2bn into the Irish rural economy to support food production. However, the proposals look to lower this funding. Gorman argued that the CAP is being turned into an environmental and social policy.
“Support for farmers who are producing the most food is being consistently reduced. The Commission seem more interested in finding ways to cut payments to individual farmers rather than support them,” he said.
“While we will have to examine the specifics in more detail, it is clear that the [European] Commission is downgrading the importance of the CAP and food production to allow for greater spending elsewhere.”
‘Battle’
Ireland will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2026.
The IFA said this will now bring added importance to this role to secure the maximum funding for Irish farmers and to encourage the next generation to consider farming as a career.
Ireland will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2026.
“At a time when Ireland is a net contributor to the overall EU budget, this level of investment in every parish takes on even more significance.
“CAP has been the cornerstone of the multi-billion export sector that underpins thousands of jobs in regions far from the urban centres.”
Parliament
In addition, Gorman said the European Parliament will also have a critical role to play in the ultimate ratification of the overall budget and the CAP.
“These proposals will have to be approved by the member states and the [European] Parliament, so there is a long journey ahead and we will expect a real fight from our Government and MEPs,” added Gorman.
“We will be looking to our Irish MEPs to build alliances with colleagues to ensure that direct supports for farm families are not diminished.
“There’s a huge amount at stake over the next 12 months and it will take a huge effort from everybody to secure an outcome that points to a positive future for our largest indigenous sector.”
Read more
European Parliament will reject ‘centralised mega-fund’ CAP – MEP
Two CAP pillars to be merged in EU budget shake-up
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