CAP changes discussed in County Hall
Proposed budget cuts to EU agricultural funding have been met with fierce opposition from Cork county councillors.
The cuts were revealed in the EU Commission’s recent proposal for the EU budget for 2028-2034 which outlines several significant changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The proposed new approach would result in CAP funding of €302 billion from 2028-2034, compared to the previous 2023-2027 budget of €386.6 billion. With inflation, this represents a 22% cut in funding.
Billed by the EU Commission as a “simpler, more flexible” budget, the new approach is designed to improve strategic planning and better respond to EU farmers, agriculture, and rural areas challenges while enabling further synergies across sectors.
However, the changes have been heavily criticised by farmers in several EU countries including Ireland. At Monday’s full meeting of Cork County Council, Fianna Fáil Cllr Ian Doyle brought forward a motion asking if the council would write to the Minister of Agriculture and Ireland’s MEPs outlining the concerns of Cork’s farming community.
“The population of the planet is heading for 10 billion, the continent of Africa is burning, and if we do not produce enough food where we can produce it, people will starve,” said Cllr Doyle.
Fine Gael Cllr John Michael Foley firmly supported the motion, saying the cuts will hit small and family farms the hardest, putting pressure on livelihoods, local jobs, and rural services.
He said: “This will mean less support for farmers and for rural development right when we need it most in light of current nitrates derogation proposals and the uncertainty that that brings.
“There's a real risk of people leaving the countryside, leading to further decline in already struggling rural areas,” added Cllr Foley.
The changes to CAP also include a slew of environmental objectives set at EU level, such as the preservation of soil potential, protection of river courses against pollution or protection of wetlands and peatlands.
Cllr Foley continued: “The new CAP will ask farmers to do more for the environment, something we all support in principle, but without proper support these new rules could push many small farmers to breaking point. It's not fair to demand more while giving less.”
Social Democrats Cllr Ann Bambury also supported the motion: “Such a significant cost would have far reaching implications particularly for farmers across Ireland who rely on these supports to transition towards a more sustainable and climate resilient agricultural practises.”