FARMING: Offaly’s priorities for post-2027 CAP negotiations are critical

THE future of farming supports and a new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is absolutely critical for the success of all involved in the agri-food sector in Offaly, a Fine Gael TD has said.

TD for Offaly, John Clendennen said the priorities for the next CAP post 2027 outlined by Minister Martin Heydon is extremely important for the agri-food sector in Offaly.

“Experiences over the last few years, from the Covid pandemic to the war in Ukraine, to the current trade tensions with the US, have underlined the vital importance of this sector.

“Food supply chains have proved resilient, but we should not take our food, or the people who produce it here in Offaly, for granted.

“And CAP is crucial to the sector’s resilience and competitiveness so I welcome the announcement from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, on what our priorities will be,” Deputy Clendennen said.

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Across the country, the agri-food sector remains our most important indigenous industry, employing over 169,000 people and supporting €19bn worth of exports.

Ireland’s current CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP) has a budget of €9.8 billion, including €2.28 billion in national funds, over five years.

The future of farm supports in Offaly will be shaped by two major policy proposals to be published later this year - firstly the publication of the EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and subsequently the publication of proposals for a new CAP post-2027.

While the exact timing remains uncertain, the Irish Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026 is likely to be crucial in progressing the legislative framework for the next CAP.

Following Fine Gael’s input into the Programme for Government commitments, which was agreed earlier this year, Ireland has four key priorities for the next CAP. They are:

A CAP that is more straightforward for farmers - providing straightforward measures farmers can understand and implement; allowing Member States more freedom to better target measures to their own circumstances; continuity of measures which are working well.

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A more flexible and responsive CAP - flexibility to respond to new and emerging approaches and to explore new funding streams which should be additional and complementary to CAP.

An appropriate balance between all elements of sustainability – economic, environmental and social.

An adequate budget for an effective CAP which retains the full toolbox of current measures under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2, and which has a dedicated and sufficient budget.

Deputy Clendennen continued: “The world order has changed in the most profound way since the last negotiation on the MFF.

“Issues such as security and competitiveness will be major features of the next discussion. If we are to protect the CAP, it is vital that we position agriculture and food as a major strategic priority for the European Union.”