The Irish Presidency of the EU has let down Irish farmers in its proposals for the next EU budget, according to Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny.

The Sligo–Leitrim TD was responding to proposals over the weekend from the Irish government on behalf of the Council of the EU (of which Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency) on the EU's long-term budget from 2028-2034 and the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Under those plans, the budget for the CAP over that seven-year period would not change from what the European Commission proposed last year.

That means the next CAP would only have funding of a little over €290 billion, down over 20% on the allocation made for the current CAP.

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture and food said: “Irish farm families and farm organisations have been let down and angered by the Irish Presidency’s proposal to maintain the cuts in the EU Commission's proposal for the next CAP.

“Irish farm families are now facing a cut of 24% in their payments from 2028 onwards.”

CAP

The TD said: “At the start of Ireland's Presidency of the EU we were told that the next CAP was a priority - for food security in Europe and in the interest of all EU citizens.

According to Deputy Kenny, the Irish government is "not representing" the interests of Irish or European farmers at EU council meetings.

"As a result, farmers are going to pay the price," he said.

The Sinn Féin TD added that the Irish Presidency received "sharp criticism" from across Europe, referring to "MEPS saying it has produced little progress and no meaningful solutions".

He called on the Irish government to review its current proposals and develop a proposal that would deliver an increased CAP budget, which he said would help provide food security across the EU.

"We need an increased CAP budget, that is the bottom line," Deputy Kenny said.