Twenty EU countries are calling for the CAP budget to be maintained at its current level.

Ireland has supported the move which is being led by France. It comes ahead of key budget discussions at a meeting of EU heads of state today, 17 October.

Notable absentees from the coalition include Germany and the Netherlands, who are unwilling to increase their contributions.

Those backing the call said the CAP budget must be up to tackling new challenges such as climate change.