WATCH: MEP for Laois wants Common Environmental Policy for farmers

Farmers must get more money out of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy according to an MEP for Laois who also wants  a Common Environmental Policy for farmers. 

MEP Barry Cowen delivered speech at a recent Public Hearing on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, held by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Throughout the evening, several MEPs raised concerns about the findings of the dialogue, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Delivered in September 2024, the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture brings together policymakers, agricultural experts, and industry leaders to tackle the most pressing issues in agriculture, including sustainability, food security, and rural development. The dialogue focuses on aligning the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with the EU's Green Deal objectives, while also ensuring the economic viability of Europe's agricultural sector.

In his remarks, MEP Cowen expressed concern on the urgent need to align food production systems with environmental goals and consumer sentiment. Mr Cowen specifically highlighted the limitations of the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding, which he argued has not been adequate to meet the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

"The existing funding levels of CAP certainly have not, and if not substantially increased, won’t either," he said.

Mr Cowen advocated for the introduction of a Common Environmental Policy (CEP) for agriculture, which would provide critical funding to reward farmers for implementing eco-friendly practices and innovations. He also suggested promoting carbon trading and succession planning, offering incentives to encourage generational renewal within farming families.

Cowen concluded by urging the EU to create a pathway that delivers meaningful benefits for both farming communities and climate action. "We need a funding mechanism that creates a dividend for farms, families and the climate," he stated, advocating for a balanced approach between our environmental goals and the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.