European Parliament
on 05 May 2021
IFA and NFU hold meeting to discuss range of issues
The meeting coincided with the debate in Plenary of the European Parliament about the future relationship between the UK and the EU post-Brexit.
Phelim O'Neill on 29 Apr 2021
Brexit deal ratified by European Parliament
Despite its imperfections, the Brexit deal is better than no deal, but it will never replace the single market for ease of doing business.
Barry Cassidy on 28 Apr 2021
Top MEP warns of payment limits on eco-schemes
An eco-scheme system that compensates and rewards farmers for environmental and climate action may breach agricultural subsidy rules.
Justin McCarthy on 28 Apr 2021
Editorial: immediate clarity needed on eco-schemes
The Government should be seeking immediate clarity on the European Commission's position in relation to eco-schemes.
Barry Cassidy on 27 Apr 2021
Minister McConalogue holding out for lower eco-schemes CAP allocation
The European Council has offered to progressively increase the percentage of the CAP set aside for eco-schemes from 22% in 2023 to 25% in 2025.
Barry Cassidy on 26 Apr 2021
CAP negotiator committed to full flattening of farm payments
Chair of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee Norbert Lins has said internal convergence must continue.
Barry Cassidy on 25 Apr 2021
European Council to table 25% eco-scheme compromise
If the compromise is adopted, it would see eco-schemes introduced at a lower rate before increasing to 25% over the lifetime of the next CAP.
Niall Hurson on 22 Apr 2021
Young people are being priced out of a future in farming - Sinn Féin
Sinn Fein has said it fears that the food production industry will become only open to cash-rich multinationals.
Amy Forde on 22 Apr 2021
Binding EU greenhouse gas emissions target to become law
This week, the EU reached agreement on binding climate targets under law for the coming decades.
Contributor on 07 Apr 2021
John Bruton: A no-deal Brexit on 1 May?
John Bruton writes on why the Brexit deal could be scuppered by the EU Parliament.
Barry Cassidy on 24 Mar 2021
Parliament refuses to back down in push for full flattening
Convergence rates in the next CAP look set to fall somewhere between 75% and 100% with MEPs unwilling to compromise on full flattening.
Amii McKeever on 03 Mar 2021
‘Money, money money, must be funny, in a rich man’s world’
Mairead McGuinness has joined other notable women in the finance world; her comment on this “they are noted as they are the exception.” Ahead of IWD Amii McKeever spoke with the new Commissioner.
Amii McKeever on 03 Mar 2021
Funding climate change initiatives a central function now for McGuinneses
Stepping into the position of Irish Commissioner in the finance portfolio is no easy move but Mairead McGuinness has never been one to shirk from a challenge. Writes Amii McKeever.
Niall Hurson on 03 Mar 2021
Irish co-operatives shortlisted for European awards
The theme of this year’s award is focused on sustainability-driven innovation.
Barry Cassidy on 26 Feb 2021
Agriculture a squeezed voice at EU level - Markey
New MEP Colm Makrey said he was surprised at just how strong the green agenda is at European level.
Barry Cassidy on 13 Jan 2021
Budget for eco-schemes remains sticking point in CAP talks
Between €237m and €355m of Ireland’s €1.2bn direct payment fund will be contingent on farmers opting in to eco-schemes.
Barry Cassidy on 16 Dec 2020
Temporary CAP rules to apply for two years from January
MEPs in the Parliament voted overwhlemingly in favour of rules that will see the current CAP extended by a further two years.
Barry Cassidy on 02 Dec 2020
European Commission set to publish options for future CAP schemes
All 27 EU countries are to recevie a set of recommendations from the European Commission on what schemes they shoudl offer to farmers in the next CAP.
Barry Cassidy on 17 Nov 2020
Hungry and Poland to throw EU budget into disarray
Failure to agree the next long-term EU budget from 2021 to 2027 could have consequences for farm payments.
Barry Cassidy on 10 Nov 2020
Green deal to the fore as Commission sends heavy hitters to CAP talks
The European Commission has chosen to send its Commissioner overseeing the green deal along with Agriculture Commissioner to the first round of CAP talks.