Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced the launch of six public meetings to hear views from members of public on potential changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2020.
CAP makes up a vital part of most European farmers’ incomes and any changes to the future policy are likely to have a bearing on Irish farmers and their livelihoods.
There have been indications from the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan that the next CAP will be heavily focused on farm sustainability as agriculture remains one of the highest carbon-emitting industries in Europe.
The six public meetings will be held between Friday 26 January and Friday 23 March, and Minister for State Andrew Doyle and Minister Creed will, between them, attend and address every meeting.
A list of the upcoming meetings is as follows:
Minster Creed said: “I want to ensure that I have heard the views of Irish citizens before finalising an Irish position in the negotiations to come.
“These meetings will provide the public with an opportunity to have their voices heard in this critically important debate and will coincide with an invitation to make written submissions on the future of CAP.”
Written submissions should be sent by email to cap_post2020@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to EU Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Floor 6 Centre, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, marked “Submission on CAP post 2020”.
The deadline for receipt of submissions is 23 March 2018.