Irish and EU farmers sound the alarm – “Enough Smoke and Mirrors from Europe”

Edward Carr joined farmers and co-operative members and leaders from across Europe for the protest organised by Copa and Cogeca, the European umbrella body for farm organisations and co-operatives.

The major demonstration comes on the back of the recent EU commission CAP budget proposal for post-2027 which would see supports for farms slashed by up to 25%.

“The proposal to cut CAP funding and dismantle the two-pillar model of CAP is totally unacceptable at a time when food security in Europe is under threat. It shows that the EU Commission has completely lost touch with reality on the ground and farmers and co-operatives have had enough. The fact, a week before Christmas that farmers, food producers from right across the EU27 have made the effort to travel to Brussels shows this deep frustration.

“Meanwhile the Commission is also introducing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from January 1^st on fertiliser which will only serve to drive up food prices and will impact on the environment; yet another example of speaking out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to food security and sustainability.

“EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has talked a lot about the place of farmers and co-operatives in the food supply chain, reducing red tape and ensuring fair competition. But actions speak louder than words and we are not seeing any of these promises being fulfilled. We need simplification, better regulations and legal certainty. At a time when the sector right across Europe faces a generational renewal crisis, the Commission’s lack of action is only going to make this dire situation worse.

“I have joined IFA President Francie Gorman along with Irish farmers in Brussels for this mass protest on the fringe of the EU Council meeting to call on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to stand up for Irish agriculture. Six months out from taking over the Presidency of the EU, we are asking the Taoiseach to make food security and a properly funded and structured CAP an absolute priority for Ireland under the EU Presidency. Ireland will be in the chair at a critical time when the EU budget post-2027 will be debated by member states. Ireland can lead by example and show its commitment to food security, farmer incomes, the critical role of co-operatives and rural areas by standing up to the EU’s “smoke and mirrors” approach to agriculture.”

“We are demanding three clear things now: a strong, common, and properly funded CAP after 2027 that guarantees fair incomes and food security; fair and transparent trade with real safeguards and reciprocity, including a halt to Mercosur; and real simplification, with workable environmental rules, postponed CBAM costs for fertilisers, and access to effective plant protection tools.”