The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) has backed the position made by the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027.

The committee has called for an increased and standalone CAP budget, the retention of its two-pillar structure, continued direct supports for active farmers, and a reduction in bureaucracy.

ICSA president Sean McNamara said, however, the upcoming proposals for the EU budget and the next CAP will be the true test.

“This vote sends a strong message, but the real challenge now is to make sure the Commission takes it on board,” he said.

“It is vital that the Commission delivers a significantly increased CAP budget that reflects the scale of the challenges farmers are facing and provides what they actually need: more funding, less red tape, and clear, reliable support.”

CAP

The ICSA also said a robust CAP is “not only vital for rural economies, but also for Europe’s environmental goals and social cohesion”.

“ICSA fully backs the Committee’s call to maintain strong direct payments for active farmers, protect supports for vulnerable sectors, cut back on needless paperwork, and help get more young people into farming,” added McNamara.

“Farming cannot be pushed aside or folded into a general EU spending envelope. We need a clear, ring-fenced CAP budget that puts farmers first, especially now, when global uncertainty has brought food security and supply chains to the forefront.”

Read more

IFA urges farmers to sign European-wide petition for robust CAP

'Stagnant funding' pot a non-runner for next CAP - Cowen