Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026
Specific Details
IFA's Key CAP Priorities 2026-2030
Intended results
To reiterate that the EU Commission's proposals of July 2025 on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), despite subsequent proposed amends (November 2025 and January 2026), remain hugely concerning for Irish farmers.
To highlight that the decimated direct CAP budget (cut over 20%) is of most concern, and one which requires the utmost priority. This will be a direct hit to the economic viability of Irish farms; essential environmental schemes and rural development measures, that fails to account entirely for the realities, inflationary and market pressures endured by EU farmers. It is simply not acceptable.
To emphasise that the Commission's assertions that EU agriculture stands to benefit by close to €400bn after recent proposals, (even more than current allocations) is misleading. It assumes all potentially released funds will be allocated to CAP, which is not guaranteed, and in the absence of the associated legal text cannot be budgeted or counted on.
To seek clarification on why these funds were not simply added to that already ringfenced for Agriculture. In addition, farmers need guarantees that the minimum €300bn ring-fenced for Agriculture announced is fully secure, even were final MFF budget receipts shown to be below that anticipated.
To insist that CAP must remain true to (and be assessed against in terms of impact), Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, underpinned by its traditional 2 pillar structure. A separate EU environment fund is needed to support environmental action and our legal obligations, with the cost-incurred/income foregone principle replaced by a more incentivised approach.
To stress that farmers and food production must remain at its core, with all active farmers and eligible hectares supported. IFA reject entirely the Commission proposal to exclude those in receipt of pension income (c.36% of Irish farmers) from key income supports post 2032 together with the potential end to the entitlements-based system. The property rights and security of farmers must be better protected.
To highlight that integrating CAP into the NRPP undermines the commonality of the CAP and threatens the integrity of the agri-food chain and the Single Market. It will, given CAP Strategic Plans experiences, lead to a highly burdensome, complex, lengthy and heavy process for authorities and beneficiaries alike.
It is imperative that the Agriculture voice is not diluted, and that all CAP related provisions in the NRPP are integrated in the CAP proposal, not just the select few per recent Commission proposals. Transitional arrangements need to be secured to ensure continuation of existing supports where required.
To emphasise that farmers need a reformed CAP that rewards active farming and productive land use; supports evidence-based environmental measures that work alongside output and efficiency; recognises sustainability as a tool for long-term resilience, not as a barrier to viability; and protects the future of commercial farming and rural communities in Ireland.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Liam MacHale IFA Director of European Affairs, Owen Brodie IFA Cavan County Chair, John O'Hanlon IFA Regional Executive, Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Rachel Moloney IFA Policy Executive, 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.
Informal communication (2-5)
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.
Barry Cowen
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciaran Mullooly
MEP (European Parliament)
Deirdre Gillane
Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)
Jack Chambers
Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)
Jack O'Donnell
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
James Lawless
Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)
Micheál Martin
Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Simon Harris
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Defence)
Thomas Byrne
Minister of State (Department of Foreign Affairs)