Fitzmaurice: “Tanks and guns more important than farmers and food”

Fitzmaurice slams leaked EU CAP proposals

ndependent Ireland’s agriculture spokesperson, Michael Fitzmaurice TD, has launched a scathing response to a leaked draft of the next EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework, warning that the document shows “zero ambition to protect food security” and fails to acknowledge the mounting pressures facing farmers across Ireland and Europe.

Speaking this morning, Deputy Fitzmaurice said:

“The leaked CAP proposal and the MFF from information I am hearing, we could see a €1 billion reduction in EU funds to Ireland over a five year period if reports are accurate, let's hope this isn't correct. The only reprieve that appears in the document may be on GAEC, but the devil will be in the detail when the official document is released"

"Despite the EU’s recent decision to allocate billions of euros to military infrastructure and weapons systems. Tanks and guns seem to be more important than farmers and food security – and that tells you everything you need to know about where the EU’s priorities lie right now.”

Ireland, as a net contributor to the EU budget, sends billions to Brussels each year. Fitzmaurice warned that the new single-fund model being floated, merging key CAP elements including Pillar II and rural development (e.g. LEADER funding), puts Ireland’s rural economy at direct risk.

“This proposal lumps everything into one big pot – and while there’s reference to designated areas and environmental schemes, there’s no detail on where the money will actually come from. If the budget isn’t increased, then it means cuts elsewhere. That’s the reality.”

The Roscommon–Galway TD also pointed to the continuing pressure on Irish farmers to reduce their output and herds, noting that:

“The national herd has already been cut by another 3 per cent in a year based on recent figures, and this comes on top of the closure of over 2,100 pubs in recent years, predominantly in rural communities. Between Brussels and our own Government, it’s hard to see who’s fighting harder to hollow out rural Ireland.”

There are additional references in the leaked CAP document on nitrate limits, prompting Fitzmaurice to call for immediate clarification:

“There’s a line about nitrates but no explanation – that’s not good enough. Farmers are being asked to do more and more with less and less, and that is simply not sustainable.”

Fitzmaurice has called on the Government to “stand up and fight” over the coming year of negotiations:

“We’re heading into a crucial period. The Government needs to get stuck in now to push for a significant increase in the overall CAP budget. If not, it will fall on national government to fill the gap—and they must. We need domestic co-financing and national top-ups to protect jobs, support farm incomes, and halt the mass exodus of stock from the land.”

“The minister has already stated that he wants a full and comprehensive CAP budget so the Taoiseach and Tanaiste need to get involved to ensure that the proper funding is put in place.  If we let this slide, the damage won’t be theoretical – it’ll be felt in every town, parish and farmyard across Ireland. We cannot afford to sit back and allow this to happen.”