Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on Ireland to “stand its ground” in negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Macdonald said the Common Agricultural Policy policy could not be reduced, and called for Ireland’s “fair share” of EU farm funds to be protected.
She made the comments today (Wednesday, July 15) at an event organized by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) at the Mansion House in Dublin, where the farming organization presented its priorities for the 2027 Budget (to be announced later this year) to TDs and senators.
When asked who Agriland Regarding the main points raised with her by IFA members, MacDonald said: “They are clearly keen for the various sectors in agriculture to get a fair hearing, and to receive fair resources for the next budget.
She added: “They will realize that the government is making its plans now, and that parties like Sinn Féin are preparing their own budget plans and delivering them just as much.”
The Dublin Central TD said the farmers in attendance “will have their eyes on Europe too”.
She added: “Ireland now holds the presidency of the (European Union) Council and there is a real point being pressed here around the multiannual (financial) framework, around the European budget, and the fact that there cannot be a cut in the Common Agricultural Policy, but also that Ireland has to stand its ground in terms of this country’s fair share of funding for agriculture.”
“There’s another interesting conversation going on around sustainability, around the relationship between agriculture and climate and environmental issues,” MacDonald also said, adding that this “should be a really positive conversation.”
“We should not create false dichotomies between rural and agricultural communities and urban communities. I firmly believe that we have common cause.”
It also highlighted the issue of agricultural succession and young entrants into agriculture.
The Sinn Féin leader said: “Then there is another dialogue around generational change and ensuring that young people get their fair opportunity to work in agriculture and live in rural Ireland.”
She added: “I know this is a problem. I have heard it now over the past years, whether it was at the plowing match, or other agricultural exhibitions, and I am not surprised that it has been raised with us again today.”
Submit the IFA budget
Today’s event organized by the IFA was the first act of his campaign ahead of the 2027 Budget to present his demands to members of the Oireachtas across both the Government and Opposition parties.
IFA president Francie Gorman said the three main pillars of the 2027 Budget submission are: support to mitigate spiraling production costs; Maintaining agricultural plans; and extending key tax breaks for farmers.
“Within the schemes, we identified Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) as an important part of farm income. We also emphasized to the politicians attending that farmers would not tolerate linear reductions in any scheme,” Gorman said.
“We know that more than 500 new applications have been received for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme this year, and there will no doubt be new applications for the National Beef Welfare Scheme later in the autumn as well,” he added.
“This money should be allocated in the budget, not by existing applicants, as happened last year.
“Additional funding must be found to ensure full payment for all applicants to the Straw Incorporation Scheme (SIM), for the tillage sector which needs additional support, not cuts. Farmers who apply to any agricultural scheme and adhere to the terms and conditions should not find themselves out of money later,” the IFA president said.
The IFA also calls on the government to maximize national co-financing within the EU framework Measures to confront rising fertilizer prices.
Other key demands put forward by the International Finance Forum include: continued consideration of measures to offset the high input costs resulting from the Middle East crisis; Increase investment in the Targeted Agricultural Modernization Scheme (TAMS); A permanent solution for farmers affected by the Residential Zoned Land Levy (RZLT) “once and for all”.
