IFA Launches Online Hub in Next Phase of Campaign to Secure Higher CAP Budget

Speaking at the Tullamore Show today, IFA President Francie Gorman said the next three months will be critical in the campaign to secure a CAP budget that will underpin the future viability of Irish agriculture.

“As part of IFA’s campaign, we have created a dedicated online CAP hub that sets out the implications of the existing proposals. For Ireland, the proposed cut of €2.5bn or 24% would have massive ramifications for farmers and our capacity to produce high-quality food. It would also have a huge impact on the rural economy given that every € in CAP payments generates up to €2 in economic activity, mainly in rural Ireland,” he said.

“The cost pressures on farmers at the moment – from global unrest, weather conditions and the fertiliser policy at EU level – have created the perfect storm. It sends the wrong signal to be taking support away from food production at a time when the European Union should be reinforcing food security.”

“We will use this the CAP hub to inform politicians here today and at other events in the months ahead, including at our regional meetings in September, of the damaging impact of the cuts. The hub shows what it means for each county and every farmer can do an exercise to see what it will mean for them individually,” he said.

The IFA President said restoring the CAP budget must be a priority for the Irish Government as it chairs the discussions.

“Holding the EU Presidency at this crucial time means our Government has the opportunity to steer the debate and achieve an outcome that will provide farmers and the wider rural economy with the resilience needed to tackle the challenges ahead.”

“There is likely to be an EU Council meeting in October which will be chaired by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin. This will see further negotiations around the shape of the next MFF budget, of which CAP is a part. Those deliberations will have a bearing on the future of farming from 2028 onwards,” he said.

IFA will be working through political channels here and via our office in Brussels to highlight the importance of a realistic level of support for our largest indigenous sector.

The link to the hub is here.