Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Brendan Smith stressed the importance of the protection of family farming incomes, and how essential CAP funding is for investment in rural Ireland.
By way of Parliamentary Question, Deputy Brendan Smith asked Minister Heydon on the progress to date at EU Council discussions in relation to the need to ensure that adequate funding is provided for CAP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
Deputy Brendan Smith reaffirmed that there must be a robust and ring-fenced CAP funding as it is “essential for family farms”, and it is also “essential for food security”.
“CAP funding is essential for investment in rural Ireland, and it is also essential for food security. Far too often, we do not talk about protecting food production in western Europe. The Common Agricultural Policy was devised to ensure the citizens of Europe had a secure supply of safe food. We should never lose sight of that,” he said.
In his reply the Minister agreed with Deputy Brendan Smith on food security in Europe and doubled down on his commitment to fighting the agriculture corner at the Cabinet table and stressed that it is really important that the CAP negotiations continue in line and in tandem with the multi-annual financial framework negotiations. He reaffirmed that cross-Government work will continue to get the most into CAP as we can because “that matters to Ireland overall”.
Acknowledging that negotiations are ongoing, Deputy Brendan Smith expresses concerns of how these proposals represent a ‘significant change’ in how CAP will operate post 2027.
“I understand negotiations are ongoing, but the proposals at present represent significant change in how the CAP post 2027 will operate. This change will have significant implications for Ireland, and for how we deliver supports to farmers, fishers, and rural communities in the next programming period.
As negotiations progress, Fianna Fáil will continue to advocate for a separate, ring-fenced and robust CAP with adequate EU funding, which retains the full toolbox of measures.
“Family farms are essential to our economy and the backbone of our local communities. Farmers are custodians of our land. We must ensure that we secure sufficient CAP funding to protect family farming incomes.
“In Fianna Fáil, we will leave no stone unturned on our negotiations in Government with our EU counterparts to deliver a sufficient CAP for Irish farmers,” he concluded.
ENDS