The first meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AgriFish) under the Irish EU presidency is taking place in Brussels today (Monday, July 13).

Ireland is holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a crucial time.

The EU is currently in the process of negotiating its long-term budget for 2028 to 2034, known as the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF), which includes the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Heydon

There will be a total of five AgriFish Council meetings during Ireland's EU Presidency.

There will also be an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Dublin and Kildare in September, along with a series of senior official-led meetings and conferences in Ireland.

Speaking as he took over as chair of the AgriFish council, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said: "Ireland's priorities for the presidency encompass three key areas of competitiveness, security and values".

"They will be our guiding light throughout the six months of this presidency as we look to substantially increase and progress the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027 negotiations and also agree fishing opportunities for 2027 for member states."

Minster Heydon noted that "a Europe that is serious about security must acknowledge that food security is a key component of overall security".

"Our experience over recent years has taught us that global food systems and global food supply chains can never be taken for granted," he said.

"Their place at the heart of European policy must be actively protected and strengthened," he added.

EU Presidency

Minister Heydon said that he is "very keen" to put a focus on the role of women in agriculture during the Irish EU Presidency.

The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF).

"Women make a vital contribution to the economic and social fabric of rural Ireland, and that contribution must be more visible and better supported," he said.

In addition, Minister Heydon spoke of the importance of generational renewal in both agriculture and fisheries.

The agenda for today's council meeting includes a debate on the EU Livestock Strategy and the Protein Action Plan which were published last week.

As part of the regular trade discussions at the council, members will today discuss the importance of protected geographical indication (PGI) for farmers.

AgriFish Council

Minister Heydon said that Ireland will be an "honest broker" for the discussions.

"We believe having protected geographical indications on the agenda allows us to focus that debate on trade which is a recurring item.

"From the perspective of the Livestock Strategy, all member states have an input and a perspective on this and this is really about building the resilience in our agricultural food systems and that competitiveness piece as Ireland's core priorities," he said.