'Now is the time to defend food security', says Irish MEP ahead of CAP vote

James Cox

A key vote on the future direction of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will take place later today in the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI).

It marks a critical step in setting out the Parliament’s political priorities ahead of the European Commission’s proposals for the post-2027 CAP later this month.

The report, led by Spanish EPP MEP Carmen Crespo Diaz, outlines the Parliament’s vision for the CAP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Fianna Fáil MEP for Midlands North-West, Barry Cowen, served as lead negotiator for the Renew Europe Group.

The vote comes amid growing debate in Brussels over the future structure and financing of EU agriculture policy.

The report strongly defends a ring-fenced CAP budget and argues that food security must be treated as a pillar of EU strategic autonomy. It stresses that the CAP should remain a standalone EU policy and not be folded into a broader national funding envelope.

“Secure and constant access to food has become a matter of strategic security,” the text notes.

In terms of content, the report calls for better environmental rewards for farmers, a clearer approach to generational renewal, and urgent simplification to reduce bureaucracy. “Farmers must be properly rewarded for their environmental contributions,” it states, while urging that eco-schemes be made “simpler and more flexible".

It also proposes the continuation of direct payments, including to part-time and small-scale farmers.

Notably, the report repeats the Parliament’s call for “impact assessments that take into account farm-level implications” before introducing new requirements. It urges the Commission to cut red tape and simplify access to support through a “CAP one-stop-shop” – a key ask from recent farmer protests across Europe.

Speaking before the vote, Barry Cowen MEP said: “This is my first report as a lead negotiator for Renew Europe and I’m pleased to have helped shape a strong, constructive text that reflects the real concerns of farmers across the Midlands North-West, Ireland and Europe

“The process – meeting hundreds of stakeholders across Europe before engaging in detailed technical and political negotiations – is one I relished and look forward to repeating many times.

“While not every proposal I put forward in my recent position paper on the future of European agriculture made it into the final version, I’m satisfied that a large number of my key asks are reflected – particularly on food security, stronger environmental rewards for farmers and the simplification agenda.

“This vote, I hope, will send a clear message to the Commission ahead of its upcoming MFF and CAP proposals: agriculture is not a footnote to Europe’s security – it’s central to it. If we want more from our farmers, we must match that with more meaningful support."

Mr Cowen added: “Too often, farmers have been caught between rising expectations and falling incomes. The next CAP must reset that imbalance with clear schemes, fairer payments and a structure built to last.

“Dismantling the CAP’s ring-fenced budget would be a historic mistake. Farmers need predictability, not political games. Equally, however, I will not be distracted by debate around the CAP’s structure and will not accept stagnant funding even if the current format is retained.

“Without an inflation adjustment, the CAP’s real value could shrink by 54 per cent by 2034 - an effective €250 billion shortfall. A secure, increased CAP budget is the only way to secure the future of European agriculture and that message will be sent loud and clear to the Commission today.”