IFA Delegation Discusses Farming Priorities for Irish Presidency of EU

IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle led a delegation that appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs this afternoon.

The meeting discussed the upcoming EU Presidency, which Ireland will hold for the second half of this year.

Alice Doyle said farming priorities must be central to the Irish Presidency given their pivotal role in sustaining rural communities, food security and environmental stewardship.

IFA Director of European Affairs Liam MacHale, who attended in person as part of the IFA delegation, said Ireland’s Presidency coincides with crucial negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).  Securing a properly funded and farmer-focused CAP, for existing and next generation farmers, must be at the centre of Ireland’s Presidency priorities.

“Initial proposals for the MFF/CAP have generated significant concern, particularly around changes to structure, governance, and funding, which risks dismantling the traditional two-pillar structure; the ‘commonality’ approach applied and the integrity of the Single Market.”

Most concerning, in the context of an increasing overall MFF budget, is that EU agriculture risks a 20% cut in funding, at a time when the challenges facing Irish agriculture are increasing.

Liam MacHale said any cut to the CAP budget is unacceptable. “Priority must be towards securing an adequate ring-fenced CAP budget. Potential funding sources outside the €293.7bn ring-fenced for CAP income supports are hypothetical supports until guaranteed, much like the Commission ‘10% Rural Target’ and ‘€45bn frontloaded’ proposals,” he said.

The IFA delegation also raised the Nature Restoration Law, pointing out that it cannot be funded via the CAP. It must be ‘new’ money.

“Trade deals such as Mercosur and Australia are also on our radar. The EU must not agree any trade deal which would undermine sensitive agricultural sectors in Europe.”

Other issues raised were the Fertiliser Action Plan; the EU Livestock Strategy; the EU Animal Welfare regulations and the Unfair Trading Practices legislation.

IFA stands ready to work constructively with the Irish Government and European partners to ensure that Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union provides certainty and opportunity for current farmers and the next generation.

The immediate and overriding priority must be to secure a strong, adequately funded, and ring-fenced CAP that safeguards farm incomes, supports sustainable food production, and sustains rural communities.

Liam MacHale said IFA will work constructively with the Irish Government and European partners to ensure that Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union provides certainty and opportunity for current farmers and the next generation.

“The overriding priority must be to secure a strong, adequately funded, and ring-fenced CAP that safeguards farm incomes, supports sustainable food production, and sustains rural communities,” he concluded.

Read the submission in full here.