The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association are demanding a significant increase in the new CAP budget. Speaking on this National President Vincent Roddy stressed the need for a minimum increase of 25% in the CAP budget post 2028.
With negotiations on the new CAP programme set to commence next year, the incoming Government will have a major role in developing the new programme, especially during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026 when negotiations will be at an advanced stage.”
The basis for the increased budget is Roddy stated “to allow for inflation and to recover losses incurred over previous CAP programmes.” Such an increase can, he maintained, “ensure all farmers see an increase in their payments while also delivering on full convergence and an increased front loaded payment.”
In their election proposals the INHFA have also called for a basic Eco-scheme payment of €70/ha with a top-up payment of €30/ha for all farmers operating in a river basin that currently has a blue water quality status as defined under the Nitrates Regulation.
Across Pillar 2 the INHFA have targeted an overall increase in the ANC budget of €100m with the first €50m increase coming in the current CAP programme with the second increase to be delivered in 2029. With an ANC budget of €350m Roddy outlined how “farmers with category 1 ANC lands could expect a payment of €6,000, with farmers in category 2 receiving a maximum payment of €5,000 while farmers on category 3 lands could reach a payment of €3,200.”
Additional CAP related demands included in their election proposals are
- Suckler support scheme independent of Bord Bia participation paying by 2029, €350 on the first 10 cows and €150 on the next 40 cows
- A sheep support scheme by 2029, based on three welfare measures paying €36/ewe with these measures costed at €12 each
- An Agri-environment scheme that is both results and measures based paying an average payment of €10,000
- The reintroduction of Instillation Aid to assist young farmers and paying €18,000
Beyond the next CAP programme the INHFA have targeted immediate suckler and sheep supports, in ACRES they have detailed the need for radical changes to the habitat scoring system and payment rates while also calling for a new payment to address the burden of SAC and SPA land designations.
The organisation has also called for the immediate suspension of the Greenway Programme. This Roddy detailed “can save the State over €350m a year and could be ring-fenced to support Agri-tourism projects that can deliver much better outcomes.”
Finally, for farmers operating in Gaeltacht areas that have a competency in speaking Irish they have sought an annual payment of €3,000. Here the INHFA President pointed to other professions that are currently receiving similar support and stressed “how farmers, more than anyone else, are committed to living in these communities and ensuring the Irish language is protected and promoted.”