Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome this afternoon. I wish him well in his term and look forward to working with him and helping him to deliver for the west, specifically Roscommon.

For generations, agriculture has been the backbone of life in the west. Our rolling green fields, rugged landscape and close-knit farming communities define our region's identity; however, economic pressures, environmental regulations and an increasingly competitive global market pose serious challenges to farmers. Without targeted support, small and medium-sized farms, some of which have been in families for centuries, will struggle to survive. That is where the CAP has made an undeniable difference. The CAP has provided direct financial support to farmers, stabilised rural incomes and ensured farming remains a viable way of life. This funding has allowed farmers to modernise, increase efficiency and meet evolving environmental standards. The CAP has not only safeguarded farm income support but has also strengthened the entire rural economy.

Beyond individual farms, CAP benefits ripple through local businesses, including veterinary services, machinery suppliers and co-operatives, along with many other rural businesses. I know of the value and loyalty of the farming community where I am from. When the farmer has money, it stays and multiplies in the local economy. All of the businesses I have referred to depend very much on a thriving agriculture sector.

The policy has also enabled the expansion of agritourism, food production and farmers' markets, keeping the west at the forefront of high-quality sustainable food production. However, as we look to the future, it is clear that farmers will need more from the new CAP. It must reflect the challenges of rising costs, stricter environmental regulations and the need to secure fair prices for produce. Farmers are not just food producers; they are our environmental stewards, community builders and economic drivers. The new CAP must ensure that the role is fully recognised and properly supported.

First, farmers need a fair and simplified direct payments system that reflects the rising cost of production and the challenges of small-scale farming. For many in the west, land quality and farm size make large-scale intensive farming impossible. The new CAP programme must prioritise smaller family-run farms to ensure they receive a fair share of the funding.

Second, the environmental measures within the CAP must be practical, achievable and fairly compensated. Farmers want to play their part in tackling climate change but need to be supported in transitioning to sustainable practices without compromising their livelihoods. The new CAP must balance environmental ambition with economic reality, ensuring farmers are awarded, not penalised, for their efforts. Economic and social sustainability must be considered alongside environmental sustainability in the European Green Deal.

Last, and as has been mentioned here already, young farmers must be given stronger incentives to stay in agriculture. The new CAP should offer more financial assistance, training programmes and access to land for the next generation. Without young farmers, rural depopulation will accelerate and our agricultural heritage will be at risk.

While the CAP has been a lifeline for the west, its new iteration must evolve to meet the needs of the modern farmer. It must deliver fair incomes, support small and medium-sized farms, invest in rural development and create a realistic pathway to sustainability. If we get this right, we will secure farming futures for generations to come.