Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has called for urgent action from Government and Ireland’s representatives in Europe to protect the Common Agricultural Policy budget, warning that any significant reduction would have devastating consequences for farm families, rural communities, and local economies.
Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Deputy Nolan highlighted to Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, the concerns that were raised directly to her by farmers she met at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, where the Offaly IFA branch stressed the importance of securing a CAP budget of at least €500 billion in the forthcoming EU negotiations.
Only last week however the EU Agricultural Commissioner, Christophe Hansen, stated he would be pushing for a €400bn CAP budget.
Deputy Nolan said that analysis presented to her by farmers shows that a major reduction in CAP funding could cost County Offaly approximately €9.1 million every year between 2028 and 2034 and place around 100 local jobs at risk annually.
“Last week at the Ploughing Championships, farmers made it absolutely clear that the future of CAP funding is one of the biggest issues facing rural Ireland. The message from Offaly farmers was straightforward. Europe must maintain a strong CAP budget that reflects the strategic importance of food production and family farming.”
Deputy Nolan said CAP funding is often misunderstood by those outside agriculture.
“CAP funding is not a bonus for Irish farmers. It is not an optional extra. It is the foundation that supports family farming, food production, rural communities and our wider economy. Without that support, many farm families would struggle to remain viable and the knock-on effects would be felt by local businesses, contractors, feed suppliers, marts and entire rural communities.”
The Offaly TD said farmers are increasingly frustrated that they are being asked to meet higher environmental and climate-related obligations while facing uncertainty over the future level of financial support available to them.
“Our farmers are being asked to do more than ever before in terms of environmental protection, biodiversity measures and climate action. Those objectives cannot be achieved if the financial supports that underpin farm incomes are weakened. Europe cannot continue demanding more while providing less.”
Deputy Nolan also warned that reducing CAP funding at a time of growing international instability would undermine European food security and jeopardise efforts to encourage younger people into farming.
“If we are serious about food security, generational renewal and vibrant rural communities, then protecting the CAP budget must be a priority. Family farms are the backbone of rural Ireland and they deserve certainty and support, not cuts and uncertainty.”
Deputy Nolan said she welcomed the minister’s acknowledgement in the Dáil that concerns raised by farmers and the IFA are being heard by Government but stressed that concrete results are required in the negotiations ahead.
“The Government must use every opportunity available to defend Ireland’s farming sector and ensure that CAP remains adequately funded. The stakes are simply too high for rural Ireland.”