Minister Heydon was speaking in Brussels before today’s meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. He said stability and certainty should be a key focus in our consideration for the next CAP post-2027. “We need to focus on keeping the full CAP toolbox available to support our farmers. That requires a dedicated and robust CAP budget, with the full set of options under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2.
“I’m keen to work closely with Commissioner Hansen and my EU counterparts to ensure the importance of the CAP is well understood during the negotiations on the next EU Budget.
“Equally, I will be making the point that we need a dedicated and sufficient budget line to support the seafood sector."
Minister Heydon said that the Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food provides us with a strategic framework to plan for the sustainable development of the European agri-food sector, and a positive future for our farmers. He added: “I particularly welcome that the vision acknowledges the importance of the family farm model and the need to support its long-term viability. The design of the next CAP is of fundamental importance to delivering on that objective”.
The Council also held a discussion on the markets situation, including participation by Vitaliy Koval, the Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food. Minster Heydon said he would reaffirm Ireland’s full solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirm our respect and admiration for the people of Ukraine after three years of terrible war.
“I also look forward to discussing how the administrative burden arising from the EU Deforestation Regulation can be reduced, and to holding bilateral meetings with my Austrian and Latvian counterparts”.