Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has revealed that the first meeting of Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) consultative committee will take place on Thursday.

It comes just one day after the European Commission published its proposals for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) post-2027 and the next CAP.

Ireland will assume its European Council presidency from July 2026. Minister Heydon said the negotiations will be prolonged and these proposals will be a major part of the presidency.

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“[Wednesday’s] publication is just the beginning of a protracted process. Member states will, through the Council of Ministers, begin the process of agreeing a general approach to the Commission’s proposals, before engaging in line-by-line negotiations with the [European] Parliament and the [European] Commission.

“This will take some time and I fully expect the progression of these proposals to be a significant feature of Ireland’s presidency of the [European] Council in the second half of next year.”

Proposals

The Minister noted that the publication of the proposals marks an important step and that it will include specific provisions for key agricultural policies.

“These are complex legislative proposals which will need detailed consideration. The Commission is proposing major changes in structure that we will now study in detail in order to better understand the impact on Ireland,” added Minister Heydon.

“My priority throughout will be to ensure that the legislation finally agreed reflects Ireland’s concerns and provides certainty and stability for farmers, fishers and rural communities.”