Key facts
- Ireland is preparing to assume the EU presidency.
- Ireland must be impartial on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during its EU presidency.
- The European Commission is preparing an assessment to simplify the Nitrates Directive.
- The Nitrates Directive assessment is expected in summer.
- The assessment will focus on flexibilities for member states, not core limits.
- Irish farm groups are seeking a 100% selection rate for slurry storage under TAMS tranche 11.
- The current selection rate for TAMS tranche 11 slurry storage is 75%.
- The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association proposed using prior year stocking figures for slurry import limits.
- EPA figures suggest potential emissions reductions of up to 19% by 2030.
- A VAT cut on HVO fuel is being advocated for.
- Slow and expensive regulatory processes for agricultural innovation exist in the EU.
European farmers are navigating a complex landscape of regulatory challenges, funding shortfalls, and calls for innovation, with Ireland set to play a key role in shaping EU agricultural policy. As Ireland prepares to assume the EU presidency, Irish MEP Barry Cowen stresses the need for impartiality regarding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), emphasizing a balance between member state and European Parliament priorities. He also advocates for increased national co-financing for Irish farmers and exploring EU 'own resources' to address CAP funding gaps. Concurrently, the European Commission is developing an assessment to simplify aspects of the Nitrates Directive, aiming to reduce bureaucracy. This assessment, anticipated in summer, will concentrate on providing flexibilities for member states rather than altering the directive's fundamental limits. Irish Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has previously called for broader simplification of environmental regulations affecting farmers. Irish farm organizations are actively lobbying for specific support measures. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) is urging a 100% selection rate for slurry storage applications under TAMS tranche 11, deeming the current 75% rate insufficient. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has provided details on selection and clarified tax rules for the Fuel Income Support Scheme. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has proposed using prior year stocking figures to manage slurry import limits. Beyond regulatory and funding issues, the impact of emissions targets and innovation is also a significant concern. Senator Sarah O'Reilly asserts that farmers are making progress in reducing emissions and require government support rather than blame, citing EPA figures that suggest potential emissions reductions of up to 19% by 2030. She advocates for a VAT cut on HVO fuel. Martin Voss, chief innovation officer at Oath Group, highlights that slow and costly regulatory processes for agricultural innovation within the EU are placing European farmers "on the back foot," making it more efficient to launch innovations in other regions and potentially impacting the EU's food system sustainability and security.