Renew Europe, a grouping of political parties from across Europe, which includes Fianna Fáil and Independent Ireland, has described a proposal to streamline funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a "dangerous step".

Today (Wednesday, July 16), president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen - whose CDU party is part of the European People's Party (EPP) grouping in the EU - will reveal the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the bloc - the long-term budget plan, post-2027.

Agriland reported yesterday, after seeing draft proposals from the commission, that the plan is to condense the CAP into on funding stream and merge it with other funds, rather than the two-pillar model which is currently the case.

Renew Europe has therefore called for the simplification of CAP "without breaking what works".

In a statement, the group said: "We are concerned that agriculture and regional development will receive a smaller share of the total budget than in previous years.

"This Multiannual Financial Framework is not only about agricultural policy - it is about Europe’s priorities, competitiveness and self-sufficiency.

"Renew Europe insists on protecting the CAP as a cornerstone of Europe’s food security and rural sustainability," the group's statement added.

Renew coordinator Elsi Katainen added: "As Renew Europe, we strongly reject the direction set out in the commission's proposals for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

"The attempt to absorb the CAP into a merged mega-fund under ‘National and Regional Partnership Fund and plans’ is a dangerous step towards renationalisation, fragmentation and a loss of coherence at EU level.

"This approach undermines the founding principle of the CAP as a common EU policy. By diluting CAP funding across broad budget lines, the commission is jeopardising planning security, farmers' trust and the ability to invest strategically in the long term," she added.

Renew Europe said that it advocates a separate, transparent and modern CAP, anchored at EU level.

"Reforms must strengthen, not dismantle, Europe's strategic capacity in the field of agriculture," Katainen continued.

The political grouping has said that the EU must deliver a simplified process for farmers while preserving the CAP’s standalone structure with a budget that secures food security and supports farmers.

"Our vision is clear: a strong, standalone CAP anchored at EU level, real simplification that cuts red tape without breaking what works, food security and generational renewal as top priorities," Renew Europe stated.