European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is seeking to give EU member states early access to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds post-2028 in a move which the IFA has claimed is aimed at shoring up support for the Mercosur trade deal.
On Tuesday, a proposal was sent to the president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who holds the presidency of the council of the EU, and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in relation to the next Multiannual Financial Framework, a Commission spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Member states would have access, when submitting their national and regional partnership plan, to up to two thirds of the amount normally available for the mid-term review.
“This represents about €45bn that can be mobilised immediately to support farmers and rural communities,” the spokesperson said.
Coupled with the ring-fenced CAP money of €293.7bn, €63.7bn for rural areas, another €6.3bn for addressing market disturbances and the access to the 10% flexibility amount for crisis payments to farmers, farmers and rural communities will have access to an “unprecedented level of support” that will make the European agricultural sector more competitive and better able to face global challenges, the spokesperson said.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
“The future CAP within the national and regional partnership plans offers a balanced and modernised policy that protects incomes, rewards environmental stewardship, supports generational renewal, and strengthens the resilience of rural communities across Europe. We listened to farmers and rural communities and we are taking action.”
Mercosur deal
It was reported this week that Italy was poised to row in behind the Mercosur trade deal, despite Italian concerns being expressed prior to Christmas which led to the vote on the deal being postponed.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has welcomed news of the front-loaded CAP funding for member states following a request by her government.
“I welcome the European Commission's decision to amend, as requested by Italy, the proposed new Multiannual Financial Framework to make an additional €45bn available for the Common Agricultural Policy starting in 2028.
“Together with the additional resources allocated last November to meet the European Parliament's requests, this initiative not only achieves the goal of maintaining the current level of funding in the future, as requested by Italian and European farmers, but also provides additional resources.
“This is a positive and significant step forward in the negotiations leading to the new EU budget, demonstrating that the common-sense approach to supporting European agriculture, pursued with determination by the Italian government, is increasingly being listened to in Brussels,” she said.
IFA
However, the IFA has said that the Irish Government must continue to oppose the Mercosur trade agreement despite the latest move by the Commission on CAP.
IFA president Francie Gorman described the move as a “ploy by the Commission to get member states on board for the Mercosur trade deal by making a convoluted proposal on CAP funding”.
IFA president Francie Gorman. \ Philip Doyle
Ahead of a potential vote of EU member state ambassadors on Friday as part of the ratification process, Gorman said the Government must hold firm on its commitment in the Programme for Government and vote no to Mercosur.
“Trying to link Mercosur to the CAP smacks of desperation and shows the Mercosur deal cannot stand on its own two feet. The two are separate issues and should remain so,” he said.
“This deal is bad for Irish farmers and very damaging for public health, based on the findings of the IFA/ Irish Farmers Journal investigation two months ago and the recent Brazilian beef recall due to the presence of hormones.
“The Government cannot countenance any position that would offer any sign of support for this deal,” he said.
Protest
On Saturday, Independent Ireland is expecting up to 10,000 people to take to the streets of Athlone in a demonstration against the Mercosur trade deal.
If the Commission receives the backing of Italy, the deal could be signed as early as next week.
Read more
Up to 10,000 expected for monster anti-Mercosur protest in Athlone
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is seeking to give EU member states early access to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds post-2028 in a move which the IFA has claimed is aimed at shoring up support for the Mercosur trade deal.
On Tuesday, a proposal was sent to the president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who holds the presidency of the council of the EU, and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in relation to the next Multiannual Financial Framework, a Commission spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Member states would have access, when submitting their national and regional partnership plan, to up to two thirds of the amount normally available for the mid-term review.
“This represents about €45bn that can be mobilised immediately to support farmers and rural communities,” the spokesperson said.
Coupled with the ring-fenced CAP money of €293.7bn, €63.7bn for rural areas, another €6.3bn for addressing market disturbances and the access to the 10% flexibility amount for crisis payments to farmers, farmers and rural communities will have access to an “unprecedented level of support” that will make the European agricultural sector more competitive and better able to face global challenges, the spokesperson said.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
“The future CAP within the national and regional partnership plans offers a balanced and modernised policy that protects incomes, rewards environmental stewardship, supports generational renewal, and strengthens the resilience of rural communities across Europe. We listened to farmers and rural communities and we are taking action.”
Mercosur deal
It was reported this week that Italy was poised to row in behind the Mercosur trade deal, despite Italian concerns being expressed prior to Christmas which led to the vote on the deal being postponed.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has welcomed news of the front-loaded CAP funding for member states following a request by her government.
“I welcome the European Commission's decision to amend, as requested by Italy, the proposed new Multiannual Financial Framework to make an additional €45bn available for the Common Agricultural Policy starting in 2028.
“Together with the additional resources allocated last November to meet the European Parliament's requests, this initiative not only achieves the goal of maintaining the current level of funding in the future, as requested by Italian and European farmers, but also provides additional resources.
“This is a positive and significant step forward in the negotiations leading to the new EU budget, demonstrating that the common-sense approach to supporting European agriculture, pursued with determination by the Italian government, is increasingly being listened to in Brussels,” she said.
IFA
However, the IFA has said that the Irish Government must continue to oppose the Mercosur trade agreement despite the latest move by the Commission on CAP.
IFA president Francie Gorman described the move as a “ploy by the Commission to get member states on board for the Mercosur trade deal by making a convoluted proposal on CAP funding”.
IFA president Francie Gorman. \ Philip Doyle
Ahead of a potential vote of EU member state ambassadors on Friday as part of the ratification process, Gorman said the Government must hold firm on its commitment in the Programme for Government and vote no to Mercosur.
“Trying to link Mercosur to the CAP smacks of desperation and shows the Mercosur deal cannot stand on its own two feet. The two are separate issues and should remain so,” he said.
“This deal is bad for Irish farmers and very damaging for public health, based on the findings of the IFA/ Irish Farmers Journal investigation two months ago and the recent Brazilian beef recall due to the presence of hormones.
“The Government cannot countenance any position that would offer any sign of support for this deal,” he said.
Protest
On Saturday, Independent Ireland is expecting up to 10,000 people to take to the streets of Athlone in a demonstration against the Mercosur trade deal.
If the Commission receives the backing of Italy, the deal could be signed as early as next week.
Read more
Up to 10,000 expected for monster anti-Mercosur protest in Athlone
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