CAP negotiator in the European Parliament’s Budget Committee, MEP Nina Carberry has welcomed today’s significant vote to ringfence at least €433 billion for agriculture in the 2028-34 EU budget.

The Committee, of which Carberry is the only Irish member, has backed a clear position in favour of an extra €139 billion for farm policy in current prices compared to the Commission’s cuts.

MEP Carberry said this is the strongest signal to date that the European Parliament is responding to calls to support farmers facing growing pressures.

“This is a major milestone in the budget negotiations. We are sending a clear message that food security, farm incomes and rural communities must remain at the centre of the next EU budget.

“We cannot keep asking farmers to do more with less. If we want to increase food production, support the next generation and advance regional development, then we need a CAP budget that maintains at least the current level of support in real terms”, Carberry added.

The Midlands North-West MEP also welcomed the committee’s support for maintaining the CAP as a distinct,two-pillar structure for direct payments and rural development.

She said Parliament is also right to push for stronger ringfencing, including support for generational renewal and agri-environmental schemes.

“The next CAP must continue to support farm families on the ground, but it must also help bring a new generation into farming and protect rural communities. That is why targeted ringfencing matters, including for local development initiatives such as LEADER.”

Carberry said today’s vote increases pressure on the 27 EU Member States ahead of the next phase of negotiations under the Cyprus Presidency, which will be presenting an update to the European Council this Friday, 17 April.