An Irish MEP has written to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon calling on him to push for the LEADER programme to be included in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027.

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen has asked the government to take urgent action to safeguard the future of the LEADER programme within the next CAP.

His call comes ahead of proposals that are set to be announced next month by the European Commission on the EU's long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), as well as on the future of the CAP.

The LEADER programme is a rural development initiative, funded through CAP, that provides support to private enterprises and local community groups to boost economic activity in rural areas.

According to Cowen, there are concerns that, in the MFF and CAP shakeup that the commission is understood to be pursuing, LEADER could be removed from the CAP remit and placed under a separate EU fund.

He cited concerns from rural community groups that this would cause significant uncertainty for long-term investment in rural Ireland.

In his letter to Minister Heydon, Cowen called on the minister to assert Ireland's position and ensure the LEADER programme remains ringfenced within Pillar II of CAP.

Cowen noted a Programme for Government commitment to "engage at EU level to increase funding for the next LEADER programme; examine how we can reduce bureaucracy; simplify the application process; and continue to provide sufficient core funding from the State".

Cowen is the lead negotiator on the future of CAP for the Renew Europe political grouping in the European Parliament, of which Fianna Fáil is a member party.

In that role, the Midlands--North-West MEP recently published a policy paper calling for LEADER's retention within Pillar II and for the creation of a third CAP pillar to support environmental schemes.

Cowen said: "I have every confidence that Minister Heydon and his colleagues will fight to ensure Ireland fulfills its Programme for Government commitment to protect and enhance LEADER.

"LEADER plays a critical role in enabling community-led, place-based rural development. Moving it outside the CAP would risk fragmentation, delay and uncertainty at a time when rural communities need clarity and support," he added.

"The government must now act decisively to ensure LEADER continues to deliver for rural Ireland in the years ahead," Cowen said.