The future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027 will be the key topic of discussion in meetings of EU agricultural ministers this week.

The reform of rules on protecting animals in transport - which could have far-reaching consequences for the live trade - will also form part of the agenda.

This week's meetings will be the final meetings of EU agriculture ministers in the Council of the EU before Ireland takes over the presidency of the council from July 1.

It is the last meeting of agriculture ministers under the current presidency of Cyprus.

The meetings this week will be attended on Ireland's behalf by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, and Minister of State for fisheries Timmy Dooley.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Heydon said: "I want to congratulate my colleague, Minister Maria Panayiotou, and Cyprus for delivering a successful presidency.

"As the next presidency, Ireland is conscious of the responsibility that will come to us shortly. We will seek to build on the work of Cyprus, and to approach our presidency in a spirit of partnership, listening and cooperation," the minister said.

"Ireland's presidency will be guided by a clear objective at council to support farming and fishing families; protect incomes; strengthen competiveness; sustain rural and coastal communities' and strike the right balance between the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability," he added.

According to Minister Heydon, Ireland's "two central priorities" will be to move talks forward on the CAP post-2027, and to conclude annual fishing opportunities negotiations.

"I look forward to engaging with my EU colleagues on our priorities and making as much progress as possible during Ireland's presidency," he added.

CAP funding

Minister Heydon said last week that Ireland will use its presidency of the Council of the EU to try to secure increased funding for CAP.

Ireland will hold the presidency of the council from July 1 to December 31, and during that time the EU budget from 2028 to 2034 - and therefore the CAP budget for the same period - will be top of the EU's agenda.

Most of the key negotiations between member states, the European Parliament and the European Commission will take place while Ireland is in the council hot seat.

The minister told Agriland last week: "What I can say is across government, across everyone in government, we understand how important the common agricultural and fisheries policies are to our overall economy."

Minister Heydon also said "Every member of government in Ireland, not just the ones involved in agriculture and fisheries, are absolutely determined to make sure that we can get the most amount back out of [CAP], and that we don’t have a diminished return out of that."