Minister Heydon addresses future CAP and EU trade policy at Council meeting in Brussels
- Published on: 22 September 2025
- Last updated on: 22 September 2025
Speaking ahead of today’s meeting of the AgriFish Council in Brussels, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said:
“Today’s meeting provides a timely opportunity to engage with my EU counterparts on the Commission’s proposals for the next EU Budget (MFF) and CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) post-2027. These proposals represent a major change in how the future CAP will be funded and managed, and I have significant concerns which I will raise in this regard.
“Ireland will continue to engage actively and constructively in the negotiations. But we will be clear in defending our priorities: a CAP that is workable and flexible, that balances economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and that is backed by adequate EU funding.”
As part of Ireland's consideration of the draft proposals, the Minister noted that the CAP Consultative Committee has been meeting to provide insights and raise concerns of stakeholders.
Referring to the scheduled discussion on trade, Minister Heydon said:
“I will highlight that free and fair trade is a cornerstone of our European values, our prosperity and our food security. However, we must ensure that EU trade agreements continue to defend our more vulnerable sectors and ensure that our farmers’ livelihoods are not undermined. I will continue to emphasise our specific concerns in relation to the Mercosur agreement and its implications for European and Irish beef farming.”
Minister Heydon will also meet bilaterally with French Minister Annie Genevard and Czech Minister Marek Výborný.
Also in attendance at AgriFish Council is Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine, Timmy Dooley TD. Key areas of discussion will be Fishing Opportunities for 2026 and third country negotiations. Another item of critical importance to the Irish Seafood sector will be discussions on how any future funding provides for the implementation of the Common Fisheries policy (CFP) .
Minister Dooley will attend a dedicated session where he and other fisheries Ministers will discuss “unlocking smarter and simpler fisheries regulation.” Minister Dooley will also engage in bi-lateral discussion with his French counterpart on matters of mutual importance.
Speaking ahead of Council Minister Dooley said:
“I welcome the opportunity to highlight the issues of importance for Ireland in the upcoming consultations on fishing opportunities for 2026. I will be engaging directly with fellow Ministers on matters such as the state of pelagic stocks and the challenges facing mixed fisheries. I will also set out the need to simplify the compliance burden on fisheries stakeholders while ensuring that sufficient funding is set aside to enable our fishers continue to pursue meaningful and sustainable fisheries.”
ENDS