Mullooly champions farmers' livelihoods at EU Strategic Dialogue Meeting

MEP Ciaran Mullooly addressed the AGRI Committee meeting in Brussels on Monday, stressing the urgent need for clear and immediate support for farmers amidst challenges in the agriculture sector.

The meeting on October 14, which included stakeholders from producers to processors, the Commission, and MEPs, marked the first stage in a broader debate on the future of agriculture within the European community as outlined by EU Commission’s Strategic Dialogue Report. Professor Peter Strohschneider, who wrote the report, was virtually present at the meeting.

Mullooly began his address to the committee meeting by highlighting the critical role of the agriculture and food sector in Europe.

"The agriculture and food sector are responsible for the jobs of over 17 million people," he stated, underscoring its importance to regional development.

He emphasised that "farmers are the weakest link in the food chain. They are the price takers, not the price makers,"

He also highlighted the critical issue of farmers being forced to sell their products below production costs, asking “if this dialogue or the policies which may emanate from it can deliver the freedom to farm and for farmers to achieve a fair standard of living,"

He further questioned whether these policies could enable European farmers to compete fairly without being undercut by third countries with lower standards.

Addressing environmental concerns, Mullooly emphasised that farmers are crucial environmental practitioners who implement new technologies at significant personal cost. He called on Prof. Strohschneider to support recommendations for real and meaningful financial assistance to help farmers protect the environment and tackle climate change.

"Can he come forward with extra measures to help protect the environment alongside farmers and help them address climate change?" he asked.

The meeting underscored that a new budget is required to address environmental and climate change measures imposed on the family farm sector within the EU.

There is consensus that maintaining agricultural production security in Europe necessitates a significant increase in both general and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budgets post-2027. Currently, member states contribute only 0.4% of their GDP—a figure seen as insufficient given agriculture's importance for food security.

The meeting also focused on future succession planning for agriculture, recognising it as a matter of urgency due to significant exits from farming not being replaced by new generations. Ensuring adequate funding is crucial for attracting young people into farming.

Mullooly's address underlined an urgent need for policymakers to prioritise farmer welfare in future agricultural policies. His remarks highlight the necessity of decisive actions to address the challenges facing European agriculture today.

According to Mullooly, “The days of using the CAP budget to achieve environmental targets and climate change targets on the cheap is simply not feasible anymore.

The Strategic Dialogue is the future of European Union (EU) and Irish agriculture, with family farm income at its forefront. Its recommendations were the Commission's response to the summer of discontent when farmers throughout Europe, and indeed outside the EU Parliament, were protesting en masse.

The Strategic Dialogue Report envisions a future for European agriculture that is economically profitable, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible. It emphasises that the success of Irish farming hinges on ensuring farmers receive a fair income.

The report outlines guiding principles and recommendations to strengthen farmers' positions in the food value chain, enhance sustainable farming practices, and prepare a CAP fit for purpose. It aims to create resilient agri-food systems that balance economic, environmental, and social factors.

It also recognises that the CAP budget needs to increase with additional funding for environmental concerns.