ICOS President Edward Carr (left), with Niall Matthews, Dairy Committee Chair and Eamonn Farrell, Agri-Food Policy Executive.  The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has launched its manifesto for candidates in the European Parliament Election in June, focusing on the importance of co-operatives in Ireland’s rural economy and outlining what MEPs need to deliver on around key issues ranging from CAP simplification, animal welfare regulations, the nitrates directive, climate action and the bioeconomy. Picture credit: Damien Eagers

“This isn’t a manifesto for our incoming and returning MEPs to take as soundbites for their electoral contest. It is instead a matter of urgency that these pressing matters are addressed in Europe and in Ireland’s best interests,” said ICOS President, Edward Carr.

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has launched its manifesto for candidates in the European Parliament Election in June, focusing on the importance of co-operatives in Ireland’s rural economy and outlining what MEPs need to deliver on around key issues ranging from CAP simplification, animal welfare regulations, the nitrates directive, climate action and the bioeconomy.

The document presents a strategic set of requirements aimed at supporting sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security, and fostering the economic vitality of rural communities in Ireland and Europe. ICOS has urged everyone with an interest in the rural economy to consider its manifesto and make their views known to candidates going forward in the EU elections.

Reduce Complexity

A copy of the ICOS manifesto is attached. It sets out a vision to advance agricultural practices, enhance environmental stewardship, and bolster the socio-economic framework supporting farmers across Europe, particularly in Ireland. It begins with a call for the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), emphasising the necessity of a robust, workable, and well-funded CAP that minimises bureaucracy, allowing farmers to focus more on productivity and less on compliance.

Animal Welfare

Recognising the unique challenges faced by Ireland as an island, the manifesto stresses the importance of practical animal welfare regulations that consider Ireland’s reliance on live exports within the single market. It advocates for the continuation of the ICOS charter on calf welfare, ensuring that animal welfare is both practical and sustainable.

Climate and Environment

Addressing environmental concerns, the manifesto seeks engagement from the EU to recognise and support the role of co-operatives in improving water quality, particularly through the nitrates directive. It calls for regular updates and applications of best available technologies in nutrient management, while also supporting the nitrates derogation, crucial for the Irish dairy sector which operates under strict environmental regulations.

On climate action, the manifesto balances the needs of food production with environmental protection, aiming for a dual goal of minimising agriculture’s impact on natural resources while ensuring food security. It calls for a fair transition for farmers needing to shift away from primary food production due to external pressures like climate change.

The manifesto envisions the development of a robust bioeconomy, urging encouragement for co-operatives to lead the way in decarbonisation through the sustainable use of natural resources and renewable energy. It seeks Europe to establish a clear roadmap for the bioeconomy that supports co-operatives and farmer suppliers.

ICOS also highlights the strategic role of co-operatives in achieving sustainability goals set forth by the EU Green Deal. Particularly noting that 2025 is the ‘UN Year of the Co-operative’, it advocates for enhanced training programmes for co-operative directors and board members to prepare them for future challenges.

Dialogue and Demographics

The manifesto highlights the polarisation of debate within EU institutions and seeks for this to be addressed by politicians and officials. It calls for inclusive consultation processes that involve farmers and co-operatives in discussions that directly impact them, advocating for a continued strategic dialogue among all stakeholders in the environmental and agricultural sectors.

The demographic challenges of ageing farmers are are addressed with a focus on generational renewal. The manifesto identifies the shortage of young farmers as a critical issue, proposing that the EU should develop a comprehensive strategy that includes socio-economic checks for young farmers in upcoming legislation, ensuring they are integrated into the sector without too many barriers or burdens.

Overall, the ICOS manifesto presents a forward-looking framework that seeks to harmonize agricultural productivity with environmental and social sustainability, ensuring that the cooperative sector remains a cornerstone of not just Ireland’s, but Europe’s rural economy.

Pressing Matters

“This isn’t a manifesto for our incoming and returning MEPs to take as soundbites for their electoral contest. It is instead a matter of urgency that these pressing matters are addressed in Europe and in Ireland’s best interests,” said ICOS President, Edward Carr. “This is a call to action for MEPs to recognise and support the irreplaceable role of co-operatives in not only sustaining but enhancing the agricultural and rural landscape of Europe. As we face increasingly complex challenges, from stringent compliance demands to volatile market conditions, it’s imperative that the new EU Parliament understands and champions the co-operative cause.

“We need to have a sensible and sensitive legislative framework that acknowledges the unique pressures on agriculture and rural economies. With stringent EU directives, unpredictable weather patterns, and economic pressures escalating, the manifesto is a blueprint for ensuring the continued success and sustainability of the Irish and European agricultural sectors. ICOS urges all stakeholders, including politicians, policymakers, and the public, to engage with and support this manifesto. By doing so, they will contribute to a thriving, sustainable, and equitable future for everyone in Europe.

“As Europe aims to become the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050, the co-operative model’s role in sustainable agriculture and rural development is more crucial than ever. The next European Parliament will be the most important in a generation for Irish and European food producers. The challenges in terms of maintaining food security and mitigating climate change will fall at the feet of our members more than any other sector of society. So, we are asking our 14 elected MEPs to take this into account when making decisions that will have a profound impact on the sensitive and delicate European food supply chain between now and 2030,” Edward Carr concluded.

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) is the umbrella body for the co-operative movement in Ireland – including dairy processing co-operatives and livestock marts – whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €16 billion, with some 175,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland, and a further 24,000 people overseas. In total, there are some 1,000 co-ops in Ireland, and the largest 100 organisations employ approximately 40,000 people.

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