Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to wrap up this debate. I recognise, as others have done, the presence of the president of the IFA, Mr. Francie Gorman. I also recognise all farming organisations that act in a very upfront and straightforward manner with us in the Oireachtas. They keep us and the Opposition guided on an ongoing basis about the complexities that exist in the farming sector generally. I thank all Deputies for their attention and comments today on these important issues.

As the Minister, Deputy Heydon, outlined, there has been much progress on CAP implementation in Ireland. This work will continue to 2027 and in future CAP strategic plans. The CAP is the main instrument for Ireland's breakdown of EU budget MFF funds, accounting for approximately 75% of Ireland's receipts of €1.5 billion annually from the EU. Basic income support is important for food production and the competitiveness of EU agriculture.

The reality is that many Irish farms would not survive financially without CAP payments, and we should not lose sight of that. Of course, there will always be issues that will give rise to specific concerns for certain sectors but let us not rubbish what is an important aspect of farmers' incomes.

Food Vision 2030, Ireland's strategy for the sustainable development of the agrifood sector, is based on the three strands of sustainability: economic, environmental and social sustainability. It is important that all three strands be addressed in the CAP post 2027 and that we maintain the momentum that is building in the current programme.

At the AGRIFISH Council, Ireland has supported calls for a robustly funded CAP and, in particular, a strong first pillar, as direct payments underpin the economic sustainability of European agriculture and are vital in safeguarding a fair and sufficient income for farmers generally.

The CAP is an essential tool in contributing to the EU's climate and environmental objectives. CAP supports are key to rewarding farmers who maintain existing good practices, which often involves an economic cost to them. We are all familiar with that. The supports incentivise farmers to take more ambitious measures on climate, biodiversity and water quality and compensate them for costs incurred and income forgone.

It is also important that we acknowledge that the CAP cannot and will not be the only lever to meet the Government's goals. We must continue to better support these objectives with the involvement and co-operation of the private sector and private sources of funding, as well as the appropriate use of regulation.

I have welcomed the publication of the "A Vision for Agriculture and Food" report by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen in February. It sets out the high-level principles that will translate into legislative proposals for CAP and other key dossier. The vision reasserts the treaty's provisions on agricultural production, food security, and farm and rural areas viability. It underpins the continuing need for a common EU policy. I believe it provides a strong argument for a robust and fully funded CAP in the next EU budget.

Much has been said today about all that the CAP contains regarding economic and environmental sustainability, but I would like to finish this debate with mention of the CAP that supports and brings farmers and non-farming rural communities closer together. Ireland is probably the most advanced EU member state when it comes to community engagement and locally led schemes supported under the CAP. We have cutting-edge European innovation partnerships delivering existing new products from award-winning operational groups like the Galway Wool Co-op, linking producers with artists, and the BRIGHT project using a results-based approach to manage, protect and restore biodiversity on intensive dairy farms. EIP-AGRI operational groups follow a co-operative model, connecting farmers, research and local communities to tackle local issues. The LEADER programme, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development, provides grant aid to rural communities for investments targeting local needs and public good.

Ireland, along with many EU member states, has emphasised the importance of social sustainability for the farming sector in rural areas through measures to support generational renewal, promote the role of women in farming, improve the health and wellbeing of farmers and promote rural development. There are often references to better targeting supports to the small farms. Ireland wants to ensure that the CAP supports family farms to improve their competitiveness and viability while rewarding them for environmental and climate actions. This includes both full- and part-time farmers and a range of farm sizes.

All Deputies can trust that the Minister, Deputy Heydon, our colleagues in the Department and I will use our roles in this crucial period to continue to advocate for an appropriately funded CAP with a budget that meets the ambition of the objectives and a framework that is designed to meet the needs of Ireland's farmers and rural communities.

I should also use this opportunity to underline the importance of maintaining an adequate and dedicated budget line for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF. This fund provides vital EU support for our fisheries and aquaculture sector.

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