ICSA welcomes EU AGRI committee's 'strong stance' on CAP
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has welcomed the "strong stance" taken by the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027.
A report on the future of agriculture and the CAP post-2027 was adopted by the committee on Monday (July 7), with 29 MEPs voting in favour, nine against, and eight abstentions.
The committee called for an "increased and standalone" CAP budget, the retention of its two-pillar structure, continued direct supports for active farmers, and a reduction in bureaucracy.
The European Commission’s proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) or long-term EU budget will be announced on July 16.
Proposals on the format of the CAP post-2027 are also set to be revealed by the commission.
The ICSA president Sean McNamara said that “ICSA has always maintained that the CAP budget must be increased, not cut, and that the two-pillar structure must be protected".
"Any attempt to dilute or dismantle the CAP through a merged ‘single fund’ is utterly unacceptable.
"Farming cannot be pushed aside or folded into a general EU spending envelope. We need a clear, ring-fenced CAP budget that puts farmers first, especially now, when global uncertainty has brought food security and supply chains to the forefront.
"A strong CAP is not only vital for rural economies, but also for Europe’s environmental goals and social cohesion," he said.
“ICSA fully backs the committee’s call to maintain strong direct payments for active farmers, protect supports for vulnerable sectors, cut back on needless paperwork, and help get more young people into farming.
"These are all common-sense measures that will make a real difference on the ground and help secure the future of farming across Ireland and the EU," McNamara added.
The ICSA president said the AGRI committee vote "sends a strong message, but the real challenge now is to make sure the commission takes it on board".
"The upcoming proposals for the EU budget and the next CAP will be the true test.
"It is vital that the commission delivers a significantly increased CAP budget that reflects the scale of the challenges farmers are facing and provides what they actually need: more funding, less red tape, and clear, reliable support," McNamara said.
