Minister Canney notes strong delivery of current CAP Strategic Plan

Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has noted the latest update to Government on the implementation of Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023–2027, highlighting strong delivery of funding to farmers and rural communities.

The update confirms that the current CAP Strategic Plan, which has a total budget of €9.8 billion, is being implemented effectively across its two core funding streams – Pillar 1 Direct Payments and Pillar 2 Rural Development.

Under the Plan, €5.97 billion is allocated to Pillar 1 direct income supports, while €3.86 billion is dedicated to Pillar 2 rural development measures, supporting the economic, environmental and social sustainability of rural Ireland.

Ireland has now fully drawn down all available Pillar 1 funding and continues to outperform the EU average under Pillar 2, with a drawdown rate of 38%, double the EU average. In 2025 alone, approximately €1.81 billion was delivered in supports to Irish farmers and rural communities through eighteen separate CAP interventions.

The update also highlights the scale of participation across schemes funded under the current CAP. More than 110,000 farmers are participating in Eco-schemes, while 54,000 farmers are engaged in ACRES, delivering results-based environmental actions across approximately 25% of Ireland’s utilised agricultural area. To date, over 2,400km of hedgerows have been planted, 800,000 trees established and 6,300km of waterways protected. Organic farming has also expanded significantly, with over 5.5% of utilisable agricultural area now farmed organically.

Supports for animal welfare and efficiency are also being delivered at scale, with 2.1 million breeding ewes participating in the Sheep Improvement Scheme, 415,000 beef cows supported under the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme, and 40,000 animals targeted under the Dairy Beef Welfare measure.

Innovation is being supported through European Innovation Partnerships, including the €60 million Water EIP, the €25 million Breeding Waders EIP, and 22 further EIP projects addressing biodiversity, climate action, animal welfare, digital technologies and environmental sustainability.

Minister Canney said the update demonstrates that the current CAP is delivering certainty and meaningful support at farm and community level.

“This update shows that Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan is delivering as intended, with strong take-up of income supports, environmental measures and rural development funding,” Minister Canney said.

Minister Canney also underlined the importance of the LEADER programme as a central element of Pillar 2.

“LEADER is a vital part of CAP for rural Ireland. Its locally-led approach supports rural enterprises, community organisations and social inclusion, and gives communities the flexibility to respond to their own development needs. That local focus is essential to sustaining vibrant rural areas.”

Minister Canney added that the strong delivery of the current CAP Strategic Plan provides stability and confidence for farmers and rural communities during the 2023-2027 period.