Farmer concern over reports signaling 6pc CAP budget cut 

Reported comments made by Commissioner Oettinger that the European Commission will propose a cut of 6pc in CAP funding will be extremely worrying for all farmers but...

Boost for dairy exports as EU and Mexico agree new free trade pact 

The European Union and Mexico reached an agreement on Saturday on a new free trade deal, a coup for both parties in the face of increased protectionism from the United States under...

No deal on Brexit will be disastrous for UK food industry, MPs warn 

Failure to secure a free trade deal with the European Union will be “disastrous” for Britain’s £28 billion processed food and drinks industry, MPs have warned.

EU's Barnier says still some 25% of work to do on Brexit 

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday some 25 percent of work remained to be done on a pact covering UK withdrawal from the EU, including crucial issues...

Brexit: Liam Fox has underestimated difficulty of getting British farmers a good trade deal, MEPs warn 

MEPs representing the UK’s agricultural communities are “deeply concerned” that Liam Fox has underestimated how difficult it will be to get...

Are Irish farmers are missing out on organic opportunities? 

Irish MEP Sean Kelly has said that most Irish farmers are ignoring a huge new market for their produce by turning their backs on organic farming.

EU should be addressing 'complete stranglehold' that the factories have on the livestock industry - ICOS 

While welcoming the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain ICOS National...

Small border farms may get tax-free status - UK Brexit Secretary 

Farms and small businesses that straddle the Irish border could be given tax-free status, the Brexit Secretary has said.

EU to launch plan to protect European farmers from unfair trading 

The European Commission will announce a series of measures on Thursday to protect small European farmers and food producers from what it says are unfair trading practices by larger corporations.

Controversial EU rules 'risk giving Russia monopoly over Europe's fertiliser market' 

Concerns are mounting that new EU rules to limit the amount of toxin in fertilisers will give Russia an “effective monopoly” over the market and...

Opinion: Watch out for the Belgian Guy as Brexit end-game begins to unfold 

Some of you will already know who Guy Verhofstadt is. Most of the rest of us will know a lot more about him over the coming six months, as he...

The guessing game - With less than a year to Brexit, confusion and uncertainty reign 

"Our national journey out of the EU is almost over - and a glorious view awaits." As the clock ticks towards Brexit that is the worldview of the UK's...

Farmers and poorer regions will bear brunt of post-Brexit cutbacks 

The EU has again warned farmers and poorer regions to prepare for a round of post-Brexit budget cuts.

Young farmers call for radical changes to CAP including scrapping of historical reference year payments 

Macra na Feirme has proposed ambitious changes to CAP post-2020 to address structural, competitive...

The key demands from Irish farm organisations in the next CAP reform 

FARMERS are calling for Member States to step up by putting more into the EU Budget to make up any shortfall in CAP due to Brexit.

Brexit border: Farmer's land could be cut in two for the second time and locals crave status quo 

Gordon Crockett does not wish to suffer the same fate as his great-great grandfather, who began farming near the northernmost tip of Ireland...

Big divisions opening on the future of CAP 

EU governments are struggling to agree on the future direction of the Common Agricultural Policy, with eastern countries pitted against west, and rich against poor.

Europeans say significant obstacles remain to Mercosur trade deal 

European officials said this week that significant obstacles remain to a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and South American trade bloc Mercosur, even as South American...

Baltic states demand full convergence of farm payments at EU meeting 

The Minister’s for Agriculture of Latvia, Lituania, Poland and Estonia called for full convergence of payments to farmers under the Common...

New food supply chain proposals will help stamp out unfair trading practices - Hogan 

Details around EU proposals on the future of the food supply chain will be published in April, with the EU Agriculture Commissioner hopeful that it...

EU auditors call for CAP spend to be based on 'relevant' targets 

The European Court of Auditors has called on future farm spending to be based on ambitious and relevant performance targets, and not to focus on allocating funding based on 'where it is likely to...

How some EU farmers have used the Basic Payment Scheme to realise windfall profits 

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) for farmers, introduced in 2015 in the framework of the 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, has...

New hi-tech Brexit plan does not cover agriculture and cannot avoid 'reality of a return to a hard border' 

People crossing the Border would have to register in advance to avoid checks and delays after Brexit under a hugely controversial plan being...

'CAP payments must reflect the needs of the majority of farmers, unlike what happened in the last reform' - INHFA to commence grass-root... 

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association will be holding a series of meetings with their members...

'Mission impossible' to prevent cuts to farm payments, says EU budget Chief 

European Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger has said it is ‘mission impossible’ to prevent cuts to the next EU budget including payments to farmers.

New EU proposal would allow government increase payments to farms by €10k without approval 

The European Commission is proposing changes to the rules governing state aid in the agriculture sector, increasing the amount that national...

EU, Mercosur extend trade talks, Paraguay sees deal soon 

Negotiations for a trade agreement between the Mercosur trade bloc and the European Union could conclude in“two to three weeks,” Paraguay’s Foreign Minister said on Friday, as an official...

UK warned on post-Brexit agri-food restrictions 

The EU has warned the UK it faces a "restrictive legal framework" for agri-food exports to the bloc post-Brexit, particularly for live animals and animal products.

Farm support payments to be used to help the environment after Brexit 

Up to £150 million in support payments could be redirected from the richest farmers to projects to improve the environment after Brexit.

Just 3pc of Irish people think EU farm payments are too high - survey 

The majority of EU citizens think the financial support for farmers is just right or too low, and more than seven in ten want no change or to be increased over the next 10 years.

New EU audit of assess whether consumers can have confidence that products are 'truly organic' 

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is conducting an audit of organic-food checks in the EU.

Macron offers tough love to French farmers telling them to 'invest more' rather than complain 

French President Emmanuel Macron staked out a middle ground on Thursday ahead of a major farm show, urging farmers to invest more rather than...

EU leaders to clash over post-Brexit budget as farm payments face cuts 

European Union leaders will lay down the first markers on Friday on the size and aims of the bloc’s next long-term budget, as a large hole in its finances begins to take shape with next year’s...

French farmers hold tractor protests in Mercosur warning to Macron 

French farmers drove tractors through town centres and blocked highways on Wednesday to oppose extra agricultural imports from South America, raising pressure on President Emmanuel Macron...

UK won’t do trade deals that undercut British farmers on standards: Gove 

The UK's Environment Secretary also said he believed the “landing point” for a deal on food and agriculture with the EU after the UK leaves the...

EU says sugar producers over-charged production levies between 1999-2001 to be repaid 

Officials in the Department of Agriculture are currently assessing the impact of an EU decision to refund sugar producers who were over-charged...

Hogan remains steadfast that any Mercosur deal must be 'balanced' 

The European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan and his Trade colleague Cecilia Malmstrom will travel South America to see what progress can be made on a Mercosur trade deal.

'Nothing will stand in the way of continuing direct payments to farmers' 

The EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has said that "nothing will stand in the way of ha

Ireland would consider increasing EU contributions, if CAP is protected - Varadkar 

Ireland is prepared to increase its contributions to the EU overall budget, if other countries do too and working programmes such as the Common...

EU Ministers - direct payments could be simplified and aimed at active farmers 

European Agriculture Ministers meeting in Bulgaria today said direct payments could be more targeted at active farmers.

Creed tells EU Ministers increasing coupled support payments 'would not be wise' 

Ireland does not support increasing coupled support payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2020.

'It is a real battle': Creed warns of very significant forces pushing beef deal with South Americans 

The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told the Dail this week that that the Government remain absolutely steadfast in its opposition to a...

Ireland building alliances with 'older' Member States to protect CAP budget 

Ireland is building alliances with older Member States to protect the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget in the face of possible cuts due to Brexit and other priorities.

Farmers face plunging incomes in 'worst-case' EU budget cuts 

Farmers and less affluent regions face swingeing cuts in EU subsidies post-Brexit unless the bloc can raise fresh cash.

Farmers face cuts of up to 30pc in farm payments as EU considers its budget 

Farmers across Europe are facing a significant income drop, as a possible 30pc cut to the European Common Agriculture (CAP) budget was...

'I've been excluded from the will after family row and 30 years of farming the land' 

Q. My question is a little sad in that it involves difficulties within my family which we cannot resolve.

EU-Mercosur trade talks close with key gaps remaining 

Negotiators for the European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have concluded two weeks of talks in Brussels on a free trade deal with no clear breakthrough and no formal offers made.

EU-Mercosur trade talks close with key gaps remaining 

Negotiators for the European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have concluded two weeks of talks in Brussels on a free trade deal with no clear breakthrough and no formal offers made.

German coalition deal says EU farming support should remain at around current levels 

Germany’s draft coalition deal includes a goal of ending use of the weed-killer glyphosate within the country but gives no time frame, after Berlin...

'Farmers cannot be “green” if they are in the “red” all the time' - Farmers voice concern over future of CAP 

Farmers cannot be “green” if they are in the “red” all the time came the warning as the future of...

Fermoy seminar told 2018 will be a 'defining year' for Irish agriculture 

"This year will be a defining one for Irish agriculture."

Eight Eastern EU members agree to increased payments to next EU budget 

Eight Eastern European EU countries agreed on Friday to support an increase in payments by member states in the bloc’s next long-term...

EU offers more access for South American beef in bid to seal trade deal 

The European Union has offered to open its markets to more beef from Latin American bloc Mercosur to try to conclude negotiations for what could be...

Defending CAP is key, says McGuinness 

The opening salvos in the EU's post-Brexit budget battle have been fired, with farmers gearing up to defend their slice of the pie.

European farmers have 'serious concerns' about their future 

New survey reveals that European farmers are worried about future agriculture prospects

Ireland could be fined €12k per day until assessment of a Galway wind farm is completed 

The European Commission is taking Ireland back to the Court of Justice of the EU for its failure to comply with part of a 2008 Court judgement, by...

IFA call on Creed to oppose Commission plans to change rules for intervention buying 

The IFA has called on the Minister for Agriculture to oppose proposals by the European Commission to change key rules of the EU dairy intervention...

Young Farmers Scheme not achieving its goal, says former Department of Finance chief 

More than 1,000 farms are being lost in Europe each day, as Ireland and other EU states are failing to entice enough young people to enter...

EU farmers warn negotiators against making concessions in South American trade talks 

Ahead of the Ministerial meeting between the EU and Latin American trade bloc Mercosur, European farm union Copa and Cogeca urged the EU not...

EU’s farming policy budget must not be reduced - MEP's 

EU’s farm policy must be properly financed after 2020 to be able to deliver food security to nearly half a billion EU citizens, Agriculture Committee said in a vote on Tuesday.

Germany and France to prepare joint position on EU farm reform 

Germany and France will prepare a joint position on proposals to reform the European Union’s farm policy, German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt said on Monday.

EU to ask Department to 'review' case of farming couple who were refused cattle tags 

A farming couple who were not allowed to purchase cattle tags, took their case, which dates back to 2001, to the European Parliament and a new...

Public to be asked for their opinions on future of the Common Agricultural Policy 

The public will be asked to give their opinions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as farmers fear up to defend their slice of the...

Farm ministers call for more welfare for animals 

Greater attention should be given worldwide to the welfare of farm animals and to reducing the use of growth-enhancing medications, agriculture ministers from about 70 countries meeting in Berlin said...

First significant sale from EU’s giant milk powder stockpile - sources 

It is understood that the first significant sale of milk powder from the EU’s giant intervention stockpile has been made this week.

IFA warns that farmers face ruin if EU subsidies are cut 

Irish beef, sheep and tillage farmers will go out of business unless strong subsidies from Brussels continue, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president has warned.

New figures show staggering scale of Irish agri-food sector's dependence on UK market 

Documents contained in the UK government's sectoral analyses, prepared in advance of the country's departure from the EU and published...

UK's environmental plans risk Britain's food security, say Northern Ireland farmers 

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has warned that UK food security could be at risk if post-Brexit agricultural subsidies focus on environmental...

Genetically-modified animals could be sold in UK after Brexit, says Michael Gove 

Genetically-modified animals could be sold in the UK after Brexit, Michael Gove has said.

Calls to reduce antibiotic usage on farms by European Parliament 

The European Parliament's committee on Agriculture and Rural Development is looking for changes around policies to reduce antibiotic usage on farms.

Gove: ‘Public goods’ payments to replace ‘unjust’ EU farm subsidies after Brexit 

Farming subsidies will be replaced by payments for “public goods”, from boosting access to the countryside to recreating wildflower meadows,...

British farmers failing to 'keep pace' with European rivals, urged to 'dramatically' boost productivity ahead of Brexit 

British farmers have been urged to "dramatically" increase productivity levels if they hope to...

New figures show Ireland has by far the least female farmers in Europe 

In the EU-28 women account for 35.1pc of the agricultural workforce however in Ireland the figure was just 11.6pc.

Legal advice: My silage contractor wants to sue me 

Mercosur deal on hold amid 15 ‘open issues’ 

The EU now hopes to conclude a trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc by February next year.

Hogan wants 'results-based' approach to CAP payments 

Brussels will stop checking the height and width of hedgerows and the number of trees in fields in the future as Member States become more responsible for shaping the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

EU budget needs to be more 'ambitious' as well as facing cuts 

The EU budget must become more ambitious in light of the €14bn hole Brexit will leave, according to the EU Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Gunther Oettinger.

Member States can fill EU farm budget shortfall - Hogan 

The €12bn shortfall in EU budgets could be filled by increased contributions from Member States, the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has said.

Opinion: Do not be fazed by two-toned talk about that Brexit border-fix just yet 

Many wily politicians of yesteryear made a career of giving it out large off the back of the lorry in Kilahulla Upper - and then doing the exact...

'We saved your kebab' - plans to ban additive used in doner meat defeated 

The European Parliament has narrowly defeated plans to ban an additive that is considered key in industrial meats for the popular doner kebab.

'Farm income support more complex and not yet environmentally effective' 

Payments designed to encourage farmers to “go green” are unlikely to enhance the Common Agricultural Policy’s environmental and climate-...

Why kebabs could be facing the chop amid concerns around food additives 

Serious concerns are being raised by European politicians about the health impact of phosphates used in food additives, including those in kebabs.

Border farmers relieved but remain cautious over Brexit deal 

Cross-border farmers from both the Remain and Leave camps have expressed relief over the Brexit deal on the Irish border.

EU will not up beef offer to Mercosur, says Hogan 

The EU will not be upping its beef offer in this week's round of trade talks with the South American Mercosur bloc.

Fearing for post-Brexit prosperity and peace, farmers demand invisible Irish border 

Northern Irish sheep farmers like John Sheridan collectively transport more than 1,000 lambs a day over the Irish border for slaughter and shipment...

'A culture change is needed to allow farmers farm without fear' 

The EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan has said that a culture change must happen to help farmers survive and not worry about their income if they make a mistake.

Opinion: A 'hi-tech' border would still be a hard border by another means 

Gerry Adams' decision to finally stand down as Sinn Féin leader comes just as EU-UK Brexit talks gather pace three weeks away from a vital summit on the issue. The border between Ireland north and...

'I bought a dodgy fertiliser spreader on a classified ad site. Have I any comeback?' 

Brussels moves a step closer to total ban on bee-harming chemicals 

The EU is moving closer to a full-scale ban on bee-harming pesticides.

Agriculture MEPs give go-ahead for 'simpler and fairer' post-2018 farming policy 

Rules to simplify the EU’s farming policy, boost farmers’ bargaining power and better equip them to face risks were endorsed by the Agriculture...

Analysis: What's your beef? Europe, Latin American trade talks falter 

A battle over beef between the European Union and Argentina and Brazil could push trade talks beyond a year-end deadline and lead to further years of delay.

New rules will allow farms produce both conventional and organic food 

EU Member States have endorsed the deal on the overhaul of existing rules on organic production and labelling of organic products.

Mercosur deal by Christmas 'realistic', claims Trade Commissioner 

The European Commission is still pushing for a trade deal with Mercosur by year's end, despite a coalition of up to 14 countries - including Ireland and France - urging a slowdown.

French farmers, retailers sign "fair price" agreement for produce 

French farmers, food producers and retailers signed an agreement on Tuesday to improve relationships throughout the food chain, notably by ensuring that farmers be paid a fair price for their output,...

Farm payment budget faces €3bn black hole after Brexit 

Brexit will leave an annual €10bn hole in the EU budget, a European Parliament report has found, with cuts of around €3bn a year to the Common Agricultural Policy.

Opinion: The spark has gone out of the EU's 'marriage' with farmers 

We had our Bord Bia Quality Assurance inspection last week.

Creed hits out at 'knee-jerk' response over emissions tax call 

Agriculture minister Michael Creed has hit out at a potential green tax on farmers, calling it a "knee-jerk" and "punitive" response to Ireland's climate challenges.

It could be 2023 before CAP is reformed 

The prospect of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) being pushed out by several years was highlighted at a meeting of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee this evening.

Hogan denies EU offered South Americans access for 98,000t of beef 

European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has vehemently denied reports that the EU has offered access to the European market for up to...

Opinion: Catalan farmers are embroiled in this dangerous political stand-off 

When Catalan farmers drove a tractorcade into Barcelona last month they were not protesting against falling farm incomes, or increasing...