On 1 July 2026, Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning a six-month term that comes at an important moment for European agriculture. With negotiations on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU’s next long-term budget advancing in parallel, the Irish Presidency will play an important role in facilitating discussions that will shape European farming and rural development for years to come.
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Agriculture is a prominent part of Ireland’s Presidency agenda. Its priorities include establishing a common framework for the future CAP, promoting sustainable livestock systems, supporting generational renewal, and developing the bioeconomy and rural areas. CAP simplification is another central theme, with a focus on making rules more transparent and accessible to farmers while maintaining policy objectives.
A particularly significant task will be advancing negotiations on the CAP after 2027. Under the proposed funding architecture, agricultural and fisheries funding would be incorporated into new National and Regional Partnership Plans. The Irish Presidency aims to secure a Partial General Approach among Member States on the agricultural elements of the CAP Regulation, while budget-related provisions will depend on the wider negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
Sustainable livestock production will also feature prominently. Ireland intends to use its Presidency to discuss how European livestock systems can remain economically viable while responding to environmental and climate objectives. The agenda includes work on resource efficiency, animal health and welfare, emissions reduction and resilient production systems.
Beyond the CAP, Ireland is placing emphasis on generational renewal and rural development. With Europe's farming population aging, discussions will consider farm succession, access to land, economic viability and opportunities for new entrants. The bioeconomy provides another important dimension, with Ireland viewing circular and bio-based production models as a means of generating new opportunities for farmers and rural communities while delivering environmental benefits.
The Presidency therefore arrives at a pivotal moment for European food and farming policy. Decisions on funding, environmental requirements, competitiveness and Member State flexibility will influence how agriculture develops toward 2034. For soil health and sustainable agriculture, these discussions will be particularly important: the future CAP will help determine how effectively European farmers can combine productive agriculture with long-term stewardship of land and natural resources.
More information available at:
O’Neil M.G., O’Grady D., Ireland’s EU Council Presidency 2026: Agriculture and Fisheries Priorities - link