Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025
Specific Details
COPA MFF/CAP Protests
Intended results
To highlight that what is emerging from Brussels about how farming will be funded from 2027 is very concerning.
That while the specifics need to be examined in more detail, it is clear that the EU Commission is downgrading the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and food production to allow for greater spending elsewhere.
That the CAP is being turned into an environmental and social policy. Support for farmers who are producing the most food is being consistently reduced. The Commission seem more interested in finding ways to cut payments to individual farmers rather than support them.
That the CAP provides an annual injection of nearly €2bn into Ireland's rural economy to support food production. At a time when Ireland is a net contributor to the overall EU budget, this level of investment in every parish takes on even more significance. CAP has been the cornerstone of the multi-billion export sector that underpins thousands of jobs in regions far from the urban centres and must be protected.
To highlight that the EU Commission also needs to be honest with consumers. Cutting CAP funding will reduce food production and lead to food price inflation.
That the EU Presidency, which Ireland will assume this time next year for the second half of 2026, takes on added importance. The Irish Government has to secure the maximum funding for Irish farmers to encourage the next generation to consider farming as a career. From the Taoiseach down, this has to be front and centre of every discussion across those six months.
To encourage Irish MEPs to build alliances with colleagues in Brussels to ensure that direct supports for farm families are not diminished.
To take part in a protest involving all EU Farmers.
To request the Irish MEPs to support the online petition. The 4 key demands of this this petition are:
1. Dedicated and increased budget for CAP
2. Maintaining the Commonality of the CAP
3. Maintaining the 2-Pillar CAP
4. Clarity needed on resources of CAP
To join ICOS to stage a ‘flash action' at the EU Commission offices in Dublin next Tues (May 20th) to warn the Commission against stripping away the CAP budget in favour of a single fund approach to the EU budget under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
To emphasise that it's vital that a strong message is sent to the EU Commission that the funding model and structure of the CAP is critical for the development of the farming and food sector in Ireland.
To stress that CAP is the foundation of a sustainable and competitive farming and agri-food sector in Ireland and Europe. It plays a vital role in maintaining farm incomes, supporting rural communities and driving progress on climate and environmental goals across the EU.
That a strong, practical and properly and fully resourced CAP; one that cuts red tape and empowers farmers to focus on producing food not paperwork. Farming in Ireland and across the EU is struggling to attract young farmers. The Commission must not risk accelerating the generational renewal crisis. Rather than potentially seeking mechanisms to undermine and defund CAP, the European Commission must stand by its farming citizens, underpin food security and protect this essential policy.
To express disappointment that the only definitive figure for farming supports in the CAP Budget Proposal is 20% lower than the current budget. This would be a hammer blow for the sector if it were to go ahead. Both the EU Council and the EU Parliament have to step up here and face down the EU Commission. This move would imperil food security if allowed through.
To stress that 44% of the €2bn envelope that is allocated to Ireland from Europe comes via rural development and farm schemes. If this is not ringfenced, there is no guarantee that it will make its way to farmers. And this move comes when the Commission is proposing a much larger overall budget.
To challenge The Commission proposal to take payments away from farmers who are in receipt of a pension which is totally unacceptable.
To highlight that CAP remains absolutely pivotal to the future of Irish livestock farming, which is why the proposed CAP reforms announced by the EU Commission last month cannot be allowed to become reality.
That what is required by Irish livestock farmers is a stronger, simpler & dedicated (inflation adjusted) CAP, underpinned by the traditional two-pillar funding model. New priorities should not dampen the fundamental importance of existing ones. Agriculture, food security & rural development remain as important strategically as ever before.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Alice Doyle Deputy President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Liam MacHale IFA Director of European Affairs, Noel Banville IFA European Policy Executive
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
MEP (European Parliament)
Barry Andrews
MEP (European Parliament)
Barry Cowen
MEP (European Parliament)
Billy Kelleher
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciaran Mullooly
MEP (European Parliament)
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
MEP (European Parliament)
Kathleen Funchion
MEP (European Parliament)
Luke Ming Flanagan
MEP (European Parliament)
Lynn Boylan
MEP (European Parliament)
Maria Walsh
MEP (European Parliament)
Michael McNamara
MEP (European Parliament)
Nina Carberry
MEP (European Parliament)
Regina Doherty
MEP (European Parliament)
Sean Kelly
MEP (European Parliament)