ICSA president Sean McNamara has welcomed the strong position taken by the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027. The committee has called for an increased and standalone CAP budget, the retention of its two-pillar structure, continued direct supports for active farmers, and a reduction in bureaucracy.

Commenting, Mr McNamara said, "ICSA has always maintained that the CAP budget must be increased, not cut, and that the two-pillar structure must be protected. Any attempt to dilute or dismantle the CAP through a merged 'single fund' is utterly unacceptable.

Farming cannot be pushed aside or folded into a general EU spending envelope. We need a clear, ring-fenced CAP budget that puts farmers first - especially now, when global uncertainty has brought food security and supply chains to the forefront. A strong CAP is not only vital for rural economies, but also for Europe's environmental goals and social cohesion."

Mr McNamara added, "ICSA fully backs the Committee's call to maintain strong direct payments for active farmers, protect supports for vulnerable sectors, cut back on needless paperwork, and help get more young people into farming. These are all common-sense measures that will make a real difference on the ground and help secure the future of farming across Ireland and the EU."

Concluding, Mr McNamara said, "This vote sends a strong message, but the real challenge now is to make sure the Commission takes it on board. The upcoming proposals for the EU budget and the next CAP will be the true test. It is vital that the Commission delivers a significantly increased CAP budget that reflects the scale of the challenges farmers are facing and provides what they actually need: more funding, less red tape, and clear, reliable support."