Longford MEP says French President Macron supports his call to protect CAP budget
Midlands-North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday during a Renew Europe group gathering.
A Longford MEP has welcomed a significant intervention from French President Emmanuel Macron supporting the protection of agriculture funding in the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Midlands-North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris today during a Renew Europe group gathering. Macron’s Renaissance party is part of the Renew Europe political family, whose MEPs are meeting in Paris today to discuss the major challenges facing the European Union and the priorities that will shape the next EU budget for 2028-to-2034.
Mr Mullooly said during a one-to-one discussion with President Macron on Wednesday morning, he directly raised his concerns over the proposed CAP budget for 2028-to-2034 and the need to protect funding for Irish and European farmers.
The Lanesboro native stated that President Macron agreed and said clearly that, “Funding for cohesion and agriculture must be preserved.”
The Independent Ireland MEP said he was - “very impressed with the attitude of the French President to this situation ahead of the MFF budget decision".
He added, "Monsieur Macron spoke many times of the need to further invest in agriculture and other key areas of concern to the European Union at the moment and he made it clear that he was in favour of the Union extending its borrowing if necessary to meet the demand. Macron is very much in favour of that.”
Mr Mullooly said this sends an important signal as negotiations on the future EU budget intensify.
“This is a clear and welcome statement from President Macron.
"France is one of Europe’s major agricultural nations, and its voice will be critically important in the battle to protect the CAP.
"I have consistently argued that Europe cannot demand more and more from its farmers while providing them with less and less financial support."
Mr Mullooly said food security is a fundamental principle of the European Union.
"We must protect our capacity to produce high-quality European food, support our family farms and do so in an environmentally sustainable manner.
"President Macron’s statement strengthens our campaign to ensure agriculture is not sacrificed to pay for other priorities in the next EU budget.
"The message from farmers is clear, and my position is equally clear: Europe needs a strong, dedicated and properly funded CAP for 2028-to-2034. I will continue fighting to secure it.”