Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025
Specific Details
EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
Intended results
To recognise that Europe is contending with a set of significant and evolving challenges which will add increased complexity to the next MFF negotiations as financial provision for Defence and European Enlargement come to the fore. It is imperative however, that Food Security, Agriculture and Rural Areas are not side-lined in any potential reconfiguration of the next European Budget.
To show concern over recent discussions on potential merging of European finances into a ‘Single Fund' which would have negative effects on the next CAP.
That IFA is in complete opposition to any merging of the Common Agricultural Policy with any other programme and expects the integrity and independence of the policy to be respected, ringfenced and maintained in line with the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union. Under no circumstance can there be any dilution of agriculture's importance within the next European Budget. Article 38 of the Treaty is clear in this regard.
‘The Union shall define and implement a common agriculture and fisheries policy' and ‘The operation and development of the internal market for agricultural products must be accompanied by the establishment of a common agricultural policy.'
To highlight that in relation to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), during the 2020 - 2027 MFF, both Cohesion Funding and Common Agricultural Policy spending were reduced by 5% in nominal terms when compared with the previous MFF. For the CAP, this manifested in a 12% reduction in real terms for CAP expenditure relative to the previous EU Budget when inflation is accounted for.
The policy's environmental ambition also increased significantly in terms of what is expected from farmers to receive lesser payments in real terms, particularly in terms of conditionality.
To highlight that the global demand for grain, meat and dairy is rising. If these products are not produced in Ireland, they will be made elsewhere with a higher (negative) environmental impact. A separate EU environment fund, in addition to the CAP, must be created to support environmental action on farms.
This fund should include support for farmers with designated land and any actions that may arise from future implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law at National level. Future generations will not commit to farming without more certainty on funding streams.
That, in the forthcoming negotiations which will be made more complex by competing European demands, it is imperative to remember that any increased expectations of farmers must be matched with an increasing budget that is considerate of economic inflation. Despite accounting for less than one third of the overall EU budget, the value of the Common Agricultural Policy in real terms has been in decline for almost two decades
This coincides with the cost of doing business for farmers in Ireland increasing by a staggering 73% average between the period of 2017 - 2023 based on IFA analysis. ‘Competitiveness' has quickly become the new flagship term of this European Mandate, but unless there is a comprehensive Common Agricultural Policy that is adjusted to inflation and a serious simplification of the regulatory burden facing farmers, this will simply be more rhetoric rather than tangible action from the EU.
To emphasise that, as Member States begin to deliberate on the future EU budget and thus the future CAP which remains integral to the livelihoods of Irish Farmers and Rural Areas, any increasing ambition must be matched with additional funding and the first step must be in securing a stronger EU budget that will support productive farmers
To stress that IFA hopes you can voice these concerns from the very outset of negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework starting at the Council this week.
To discuss farmers' concerns with the Minister for Finance.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance and Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Liam MacHale IFA Director of European Affairs
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Deirdre Gillane
Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)
Diarmuid Lynch
Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)
Jack O'Donnell
Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)
Maria Walsh
MEP (European Parliament)
Micheál Martin
An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)
Nina Carberry
MEP (European Parliament)
Paschal Donohoe
Minister (Department of Finance)
Regina Doherty
MEP (European Parliament)
Simon Harris
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Sean Kelly
MEP (European Parliament)
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciaran Mullooly
MEP (European Parliament)
Brendan Gleeson
Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Paschal Donohoe
Minister (Department of Finance)