Gorman: CAP remains 'absolutely pivotal' to livestock farming
The Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) president, Francie Gorman has said that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) remains "absolutely pivotal" to the future of Irish livestock farming.
As a result, Gorman believes that the proposed CAP reforms announced by the EU Commission last month (July 2025) cannot be allowed to become a reality.
He said the government will have to lead a sustained and determined diplomatic push in Brussels to re-centre the debate around food production and the twin-pillar approach.
Gorman said: "The latest Teagasc National Farm survey results for 2024 show how important CAP payments are for the income of drystock farmers.
"Even with the increases in the last year, CAP still accounts for a very significant portion of income on the livestock side and historically has been higher than 100% of income," he added.
Speaking at the Tullamore Show, Gorman highlighted that CAP payments pump nearly €180 mllion into the midlands rural economy each year.
The IFA president criticised some of the commentary around higher prices paid to farmers over the last 12 months.
He said: "The quality of the stock on display here today is testament to the investment that farmers have made and the pride they take in what they produce.
"The display at Tullamore Show simply would not exist without dedicated funding for farmers. Their efforts stretch well beyond the farmgate through the processing sector and onto our export profile."
"Any reduction in the CAP budget would have reverberations through the rural economy," Gorman added.
Gorman believes that Ireland needs a stronger, simpler and dedicated CAP, underpinned by the traditional two-pillar funding model.
He also claimed that new priorities should not dampen the fundamental importance of existing ones, and that agriculture, food security and rural development remain as important strategically as ever before.
"With continued and prolonged operational challenges from multiple sources, at a minimum, and in whatever format necessary, Irish farmers need the full complement of targeted Pillar I and Pillar II interventions (fully funded) currently available," Gorman said.
"Our export markets are crucial for the future of our beef sector. We will continue to look for support in other member states for our campaign."
"The EU Commission spends a lot of time talking of the benefits for other sectors but omits to mention that DG Sante (directorate-general for health and food safety) continues to identify shortcomings in Brazilian production systems," Gorman added.
