The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA) has said that a proposal by the European Commission to cut the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget "must be reassessed".

On Wednesday (July 16), the European Commission presented its proposal for the next EU long-term budget for 2028-2034 amounting to almost €2 trillion.

€300 billion of that total will be ringfenced in a single fund to support farmers, including environmental measures, on-farm investments, support to young farmers, and risk management tools.

The budget for the current CAP, which comes to an end in 2027, stands at €387 billion.

As discussions begin on the format of the next CAP programme the INHFA have insisted that the proposed budget cut of 23% and the consolidation into one pillar must be part of any discussion.

INHFA national committee chair Pheilim Molloy stressed the need to protect the overall budget and the two pillar model.

He called on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and all Irish MEPs "to do everything possible in protecting our interests".

Molloy expressed major concern around some of the options being outlined in the proposals.

He questioned how "those farmers who have been forced to reduce production through EU regulation such as the Habitats Directive could now lose out because of reduced output."

The INHFA chair also raised concerns around the current proposal in relation to organic farming.

"What we have seen could indicate a complete U-turn for this sector," he said.

"The organisation are currently assessing the details outlined by the commission and will be providing a more comprehensive assessment next week following discussion at the organisation's national council," Molloy said.