Agriculture 'cannot be forced to compete' with other spending priorities
Agriculture "cannot be forced to compete with other national spending priorities", MEP Ciaran Mullooly has said.
The Midlands North-West MEP made the comment as the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) begins detailed consideration of amendments to a key report on the future CAP.
German MEP Norbert Lins, who is spearheading the work of the parliament's agriculture committee on the CAP post-2027, published his report on the future CAP in June.
Mullooly said the amendments he has tabled are focused on protecting the CAP budget, active farmers, livestock production, vulnerable farming regions and the next generation of farmers.
Speaking at the AGRI meeting today (September 2), the MEP outlined the amendments he has tabled as negotiations continue on the future direction and funding of the CAP.
Priority
Mullooly told the AGRI Committee his first priority is to ensure CAP money remains protected exclusively for agriculture rather than being placed in competition with other areas of national spending.
He said: “I want to be clear about the key issues here for me and the amendments I have tabled.
“Firstly, CAP funding must remain ring-fenced for farmers.
“Agriculture cannot be forced to compete with other national spending priorities. We must protect the two-pillar structure.”
He also said the definition of an active farmer must recognise the reality of modern farming, including those who supplement their farm income through other work or receive a pension.
The MEP said: “Secondly, protecting farmers, the active farmer, the needs of those who have invested in full-time enterprise are respected.
“But a farmer should not be excluded simply because they have a dual income, they're working part-time or receiving a pension.
"If they're actively farming, they must remain eligible for support.”
Mullooly also called for explicit protection for Ireland’s livestock and grass-based farming system, alongside farmers operating in areas where environmental, geographical and land constraints make farming particularly challenging.
He said: “Thirdly, protect livestock and grass-based farming, including recognition of the important role grazing plays in maintaining our countryside and habitats.
“We must also defend hill, commonage and natura farmers who face those additional constraints.”
He added that the next CAP must also provide the financial backing required to bring younger people into farming, support succession, and allow farms to continue investing for the future.
The MEP said: “We need properly funded simplification, generational renewal, succession and investment to keep farms viable.”
Mullooly warned that the debate over the future of the CAP ultimately comes down to Europe’s ability to produce its own food.
