“Genuine farmers” should not pay the price for weaknesses in the system when it comes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), according to MEP Barry Cowen.

He said: "Recent revelations of EU farm payments reaching members of the UAE royal family and subsidies being claimed for non-existent cattle in Greece demonstrate the need for stronger safeguards around CAP funding, not a smaller agriculture budget."

Speaking at the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) in Brussels today (September 2), the Fianna Fáil MEP said taxpayers must have confidence that agricultural funding reaches the farmers and rural communities it is intended to support.

The Midlands North-West MEP, who is Renew Europe's lead negotiator on the next CAP, made the comments as the European Parliament begins its detailed consideration of proposals for the policy after 2027.

Cowen said the controversies strengthened the case for tighter rules governing who can receive CAP payments, rather than a smaller budget.

Debate

Cowen said: "There is a legitimate debate to be had about how we spend taxpayers' money through the next CAP.

"Those of us arguing for a larger, ring-fenced agriculture budget have a particular responsibility to demonstrate that it is money well spent."

The MEP added that "the answer to badly managed money is not less money”.

Instead, the solution he suggested is “better safeguards".

He added: "That means we need a serious discussion in these negotiations about capping very large payments and ensuring CAP funding ultimately lands in the pockets of EU residents.

"Genuine farmers should not pay the price for weaknesses in the system.”

The MEP added that it is necessary to fix those weaknesses, and not use them as "an excuse" to cut agriculture funding.