The European Commission has suggested that farmers could get early access to €45 billion in new funding in an attempt to see off criticism of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
EU agricultural ministers are gathering in Brussels today for a “political meeting” convened by the European Commission at short notice.
The EU is currently negotiating its next long term budget totalling €2 trillion. Under the European Commission’s current plan, CAP funding would be rolled together with funding for other sectors.
That move has angered farmers who fear they will be in competition with fishermen and industry.
A promise to ring-fence at least €300 billion for income and crisis support for farmers has not been enough to stem the critics.
To try and win support of ministers, the European Commission has now suggested that up to €45 billion could be made available as soon as the new budget goes live in 2028 rather than at the budget’s midway point.
The idea will be discussed by agricultural minister in Brussels this afternoon.
Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said: “Today’s meeting offers a valuable opportunity to address the concerns expressed recently by European farmers, who are clearly feeling excluded and uncertain about their future. As I have said previously, if the post-2027 CAP is to deliver for food security and environmental sustainability, as well as safeguarding the continued viability of our farmers and rural communities, adequate and stable funding must be the starting point.”
“The EU Budget (MFF) proposals published last summer proposed a ringfenced amount of €293 billion for the CAP Budget for 2028-2034. When compared to the allocation in the current round (€387 billion), this is clearly inadequate, considering our shared ambition for a sustainable, competitive and innovative agri-food sector which assures European food security, produces safe nutritious food, and is attractive for the next generation of farmers.”
The meeting also comes ahead of Ursula von der Leyen’s expected trip to south America to sign the Mercosur trade agreement.
That trip has already been delayed from December.
Irish farmers continue to have concerns about the deal.
The President of the Irish Farmers Association said he would be taking part in a protest against Mercosur in Athlone on Saturday.
“I fully appreciate the concerns of farmers…particularly given recent examples in relation to the standards of beef production in Mercosur countries”, said Minister Heydon.
“The EU’s food safety (or SPS) standards are among the highest in the world, and must be non-negotiable. Ireland is very firmly of the view that EU SPS standards must be rigorously upheld for the benefit of European consumers. Beyond SPS standards, farmers are naturally concerned about competition from countries where farmers are not held to the same high production standards as they are. We need to hear from the European Commission on what further assurances they can give on these issues.”
According to European Commission documents, “the purpose of the discussion [amongst ministers this afternoon] is to reflect on the future of farming and food security in Europe and the main expectations for EU action in 2026, taking into consideration also the concerns voiced during the protests, focusing inter alia on actions and measures to increase the competitiveness of European farmers and ensure greater level playing field globally, including through better alignment in production standards and strengthening of controls of imports, the future of the CAP in the context of the MFF post-2027, the concerns over rising input costs and other factors affecting the market situation, [and] further reduction of regulatory burden in areas outside CAP.”