Ireland will take up the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU from July 1, and will hold that position until December 31.

Ahead of that, the government recently launched a public consultation asking for feedback on what Ireland should focus on in those six months.

The consultation process has received feedback from range of bodies from across the economy and wider society, including farm organisations.

The farm organisations have all called for Ireland to focus on different aspects of agriculture and rural affairs, but there are some common themes running through their submissions.

IFA

The IFA called for a competitive agriculture sector to be a central priority of the Irish presidency.

The group said that Ireland will be in the council hot seat for key negotiations on the final form of the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - the EU's long-term budget - and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2027, which the IFA said places further importance on putting agriculture at the centre of Ireland's priorities.

The three specific priorities the IFA outlined are: a profitable European agriculture sector; a fair global trading environment; and simplification and better regulations.

According to the IFA, there is a "lack of understanding" on areas like the current costs of running a farming enterprise; the cost of compliance and how this impacts on viability; attracting younger people into the sector; and stabilising incomes.

The IFA also said that "continually raiding" CAP for environmental ambition will not promote greater economic or social sustainability.

The IFA called for agriculture to be centrally involved in the EU's upcoming 'Communication on Better Regulation' which will aim to make EU regulations clearer and easier to implement.

Focussing in on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the IFA said that the proposed reduction in funding for the next CAP has "brought significant concern over the most important policy to Irish farmers".

The farm organisation warned that the proposal "represents the potential loss of a ringfenced CAP fund and completely erodes the pillar II element".

The IFA also called for Ireland, like some other EU member states that recently held the council presidency, to host events during our presidency outside of the capital city.

ICMSA

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) also focused in on CAP post 2027 and simplification.

The dairy farmer organisation also called for proper funding for farmers to implement the Nature Restoration Law, and for farmers to be prioritised in efforts to address water quality.

The farm organisation called for the CAP budget to be increased in line with food security, and for active farmers to be prioritised.

The ICMSA called for farm schemes to be reformed, with a simple payment structure to reduce the regulatory burden.

On generational renewal, the farm organisation wants to see greater resources in the succession and retirement aspect of farming, and incentives for the younger generation to take over, with incentives for the older generation to retire.

The ICMSA called for live exports to be made available to island nations, with current rules to continue.

The association wants to see an increased MFF agriculture budget, saying that the current budget is not fit for purpose and needs to be increased.

ICSA

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) said that Ireland has "a prime opportunity" to focus on the theme of a sustainable and resilient agriculture sector.

The farm organisation called on the government to highlight the strategic value of having a "common and strong" budget dedicated to agriculture, leveraging both sovereignty and sustainability.

The ICSA also said that, during Ireland's presidency, it expects progress on market management tools, crisis reserves and further protection of meat denominations in the context of the new common market organisation (CMO) reforms.

The farm organisation also called for a "serious discussion" during Ireland's presidency on trade agreements and reinforcing import controls at EU borders.

"The EU cannot import products that are not allowed to be produced in the EU. This basic principle should be the norm, not the exception," the ICSA submission said.

The ICSA also called on Ireland to use our presidency as an opportunity to make progress on the bioeconomy strategy.

As well as that, the farm organisation said there is a need to "rebalance" the debate on diets, calling for livestock-sourced food to be promoted.

The ICSA wants Ireland to call on the European Commission to set up a "high-level group" on livestock to "give visibility back to the sector".

The association also called for "a particular effort" to be made to celebrate Irish food during events that will be held in Ireland during the presidency.

INHFA

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA) said that farmers are looking at "the most radical reform for over 20 years" on CAP, and that Ireland should be campaigning for an increased CAP budget, over and above the current budget, to take account of inflation.

The INHFA wants to see proper compensation for farmers for restrictions imposed on them due to land designations.

The farm organisation also called for a clear definition that encapsulates farmers, both full-time and part-time, who are carrying out an agricultural activity.

The farm organisation said that two definitions of farmers based on their level of production will not serve Ireland well and could have "devastating effects" on rural communities on the western seaboard.

The INHFA also wants to see the importance of farming in upland areas being promoted.