The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 17 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Key Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Post-2027 - Generational Renewal

Intended results • Attracting and retaining new entrants to farming remains a fundamental challenge across most Member States, with tackling Generational Renewal among the top priorities of the new Commission. CAP is a pivotal generational renewal mechanism in this regard, but to truly address it will require more than the provision of a series of stronger & targeted interventions (which will be necessary, and across both Pillars of CAP) to support committed young farmers (across all sectors). A fundamental overhaul and reduction of governing regulation – both agricultural & non-agricultural, together with farmers assuming a greater share of the food value chain, must be provided. An incentivised approach rather than a regulatory approach, with fewer conditional requirements, is required. One of the most effective ways to support generational renewal is to address the challenges that farmers face today. Measures proposed to support generational renewal include strong support for committed young farmers, including a preferential national reserve, top-up payments (such as BISS and TAMs), partnership supports, and the mainstreaming of the land mobility service. • Provide investment support for farmers setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of the holding in respect of investments to comply with Union standards (as existed 2014-2022). • Extend the period of additional grant-aid support for young farmers beyond the current 5 years from the date of first establishment to 10 years, or initiate a 5-year term from the date of first supported investment. • Amendments are needed to support legal entities, as the current framework is too restrictive, and issues will only intensify in the years ahead if CAP support remains unchanged. By way of example, a young farmer draws down the Young Farmer scheme support from 2015 to 2020. In 2023, their spouse (who is under 40, completed green cert, first time on holding, etc) joins the company. However, the spouse is ineligible for the Young Farmer payment because their spouse has already received it. She will have spent money and time obtaining the necessary Education Qualifications, yet no added reward is provided. This needs to be corrected, and some form of support provided • The ‘Forgotten Farmers' should be eligible to apply for Complimentary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) (or its equivalent) and the National Reserve. The funding for this does not necessarily have to come from CAP funds; instead, it should be funded by the National Exchequer. • The introduction of a meaningful Farm Succession Scheme, with a series of targeted interventions for both parties (i.e., the retiring farmer and the new entrant), should be provided to encourage farm mobility. This may include a tiered payment structure, with top-ups and increased grant thresholds offered to young farmers until they reach 40 years of age (regardless of how many years they have been farming). • Like that of young farmers, greater access to grant funding for women farmers should be provided in the next CAP to support continued and increased participation.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Liam MacHale IFA Director of European Affairs, Shane Whelan IFA Senior 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

Mass communications

Letter All TDs

Submission All TDs

Letter All MEPs

Submission All MEPs

Letter All Senators

Submission All Senators

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Email (6-10)

Social Media (2-5)

Meeting (1)

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.

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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)

Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State (Department of Health)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Martin Heydon Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Michael Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Moynihan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Noel Grealish Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Sean Canney Minister of State (Department of Transport)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Timmy Dooley Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)