The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Future of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) - CAP Budget

Intended results Ensuring that a well funded and balanced CAP Programme is in place post 2020 That the CAP consultative meetings would address the importance of CAP and that the additional asks of farmers must be paid for. To highloght the importance of a strong CAP budget. To note that the Croatian Presidency concluded with only some progress on environmental impact assessments and targets to be achieved in next CAP. Noted the DAFM's report of little progress on issues such as the new green architecture, as well as how the new Farm to fork and Bio diversity strategies will be integrated into the next CAP. It is expected that there will be significant discussion on the details in the autumn under the German Presidency. On the Transitional Regulation, noted that the DAFM said the EU Council and the Parliament have agreed a 2 year transition. However, the Commission is still pushing for a 1 year. Also the MFF is still not finalised. It is expected though that the transitional arrangements will be finalised shortly. To ensure that the nine CAP Objectives (as follows) are adhered to 1. Support viable farm income and resilience across the union to enhance the food sector. 2. Enhance market orientation and increase competiveness including greater focus on research, technology, and digitalisation. 3. Improve the farmers position in the food value chain. 4. Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaption as well as sustainable energy 5. Foster sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources such as soil, water and air. 6. Contribute to the protection of Biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and protect habitats and landscape. 7. Attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas. 8. Promote employment growth, social inclusion and local development in rural areas including Bio economy and sustainable forestry. 9. Improve response of EU Agriculture to societal demands on food & health, including safe nutritious food, food waste and animal welfare.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan, IFA President; Brian Rushe, IFA Deputy President; Damian McDonald, IFA Director General; Gerry Gunning, IFA Secretary Rural Development

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.

Meeting (2-5)

Informal communication (6-10)

Email (6-10)

Virtual Meeting (1)

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.

Paul Savage Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Barry Cowen Minister (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Adam Ledwith Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Sinead McPhillips Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Paul Dillon Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Mairead McGuinness MEP (European Parliament)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)