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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, stressed the need for ongoing support for farmers in this period of uncertain and challenging times, at today’s EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels (Tuesday 30 May 2023).
Speaking at the meeting, Minister McConalogue said:
”We continue to face uncertain times. Fluctuations in prices both for inputs and for commodities are very challenging for farmers to manage. Ongoing support through the Common Agriculture Policy is essential to help farmers maintain their resilience as they respond to unstable markets.”
The Minister highlighted the difficulties faced in the tillage and horticulture sectors in particular, adding:
”In Ireland, while all sectors have their issues, we are facing particularly stark challenges in the tillage and horticulture sectors. Energy costs are having a heavy impact on the horticulture sector, and prices obtained on markets do not compensate for those increases. Tillage farmers have faced huge fluctuations in prices. While prices had previously compensated for increased costs, this is not the case now. Input costs for the 2023 growing season are up to 62% higher than in 2021.”
There is also an important discussion on the situation of the agriculture sector in Ukraine, which will be held in the presence of the Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi.
Ahead of the discussion, Minister McConalogue stated:
”Ireland has been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for the people and Government of Ukraine following Russia’s illegal invasion, including through the provision of humanitarian and non-lethal military assistance and the welcoming of displaced Ukrainian citizens. I would also like to stress the importance of EU Solidarity lanes and the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which I believe will also be vitally important in supporting agriculture in Ukraine over the shorter and longer term.”
The meeting will also include a discussion on the latest developments in negotiations on the free trade agreement between the EU and Australia in relation to market access for agricultural products.
In this regard the Minister commented:
”Throughout these negotiations, Ireland has consistently raised concerns regarding the possible granting of additional market access for sensitive agriculture products. Any such access must not undermine EU producers.
“Regarding these sensitive agriculture products, any offer must fully take account of the cumulative impact of all market access concessions that have been made in European Free Trade Agreements to date. It must also consider the further impact of the substantial market access for beef and sheepmeat that has been secured by Australia and New Zealand in their FTAs with the United Kingdom. We must avoid further negative impacts on European markets.”
Other items on the council agenda include discussions on the food safety and food waste aspects of proposed regulations on packaging and packaging waste, the marketing of frozen products, and there will be a discussion on the 5th African Union-EU Agricultural Ministerial Conference which takes place in Rome on 30 June 2023.