The scale of the proposed cut to the CAP budget will have significant and negative ramifications for Irish agriculture and the rural economy, according to Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman.
On Wednesday, the European Commission released its budget proposals for CAP post-2027.
Funding for CAP will reduce by 22% from €387bn to €300bn.
“The only definitive figure for farming supports is 20% lower than the current budget. This would be a hammer blow for the sector if it were to go ahead,” said Gorman.
Some 44% of the €2bn envelope that is allocated to Ireland comes via rural development and farm schemes, Gorman said.
"If this is not ring-fenced, there is no guarantee that it will make its way to farmers.
“Cutting CAP funding will in turn lead to a reduction in food production and ultimately to food price inflation,” he said.
'Big battle'
Francie Gorman said there is a big battle ahead to retrieve a rational and coherent policy from what the European Commission is proposing.
He also said the Commission proposal to take payments away from farmers who are in receipt of a pension is totally unacceptable.
“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,” he said.
“The EU presidency, which Ireland will assume this time next year for the second half of 2026, takes on added importance. Our Government has to secure the maximum funding for Irish farmers to encourage the next generation to consider farming as a career.
“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,” he concluded.
Read more
40,000 older farmers face farm payments wipeout
€300bn ringfenced for farm 'income supports' in official EU budget plans
The scale of the proposed cut to the CAP budget will have significant and negative ramifications for Irish agriculture and the rural economy, according to Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman.
On Wednesday, the European Commission released its budget proposals for CAP post-2027.
Funding for CAP will reduce by 22% from €387bn to €300bn.
“The only definitive figure for farming supports is 20% lower than the current budget. This would be a hammer blow for the sector if it were to go ahead,” said Gorman.
Some 44% of the €2bn envelope that is allocated to Ireland comes via rural development and farm schemes, Gorman said.
"If this is not ring-fenced, there is no guarantee that it will make its way to farmers.
“Cutting CAP funding will in turn lead to a reduction in food production and ultimately to food price inflation,” he said.
'Big battle'
Francie Gorman said there is a big battle ahead to retrieve a rational and coherent policy from what the European Commission is proposing.
He also said the Commission proposal to take payments away from farmers who are in receipt of a pension is totally unacceptable.
“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,” he said.
“The EU presidency, which Ireland will assume this time next year for the second half of 2026, takes on added importance. Our Government has to secure the maximum funding for Irish farmers to encourage the next generation to consider farming as a career.
“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,” he concluded.
Read more
40,000 older farmers face farm payments wipeout
€300bn ringfenced for farm 'income supports' in official EU budget plans
SHARING OPTIONS