CAP reform deal agreed, but Coveney warns changes have just begun

The EU has agreed the biggest reform of agriculture policy in a decade, but for Irish farmers the changes have just begun, warned Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Having negotiated on behalf of member states how the EU will spend over €300bn over the next seven years, Mr Coveney said he will now work to ensure it fits with plans to revitalise the country’s food industry.

Agriculture payments account for about 85% of Ireland’s funding from the EU, amounting to over €1.5bn a year. Agreement in the dying days of the Irish presidency came after four years of work and 40 negotiating meetings between Ireland, the commission and the European Parliament.