The meeting formed part of the informal Council of EU agriculture ministers. As an informal gathering, no formal decisions were expected, although ministers used the occasion to hold bilateral talks and discuss current issues affecting the sector.
The future CAP at the heart of the debate
The meeting came at a particularly important time for the future of EU agricultural policy, as the Irish Presidency of the Council seeks to advance negotiations on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.
One of the key issues is the future funding of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The European Commission’s proposal would place the CAP within a broader fund alongside other policy areas, giving Member States greater flexibility over how resources are allocated.
The proposal has exposed differences between EU governments over the level of funding that should be allocated to agriculture and regional programmes.
Spain has already expressed its opposition to possible cuts to the CAP and argues that agricultural policy must have sufficient funding to address the sector’s productive, environmental and economic challenges.
Innovation and new technologies for farms
The ministers also discussed the role that research and innovation can play in supporting livestock farming and protein production in Europe.
Irish Presidency asked Member States to consider which public support mechanisms could best help farmers, particularly smaller farms, to adopt new technologies and innovative practices.
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The working document identified climate change, profitability pressures and outbreaks of animal diseases among the main vulnerabilities facing the European livestock sector.
According to the Presidency, some of these risks can be mitigated through new technologies, improved management practices and greater knowledge generation.
European funding to drive innovation
The innovation debate is closely linked to negotiations over the EU budget for 2028-2034.
Among the financial instruments under discussion is the Competitiveness Fund, which could help finance technology and innovation projects linked to the agri-food sector.
The Dublin meeting also followed the presentation in Brussels of a strategy for the livestock sector and an action plan to promote plant protein production, aimed at reducing the EU’s dependence on these raw materials.
Profitability and generational renewal
Alongside funding and innovation, ministers also examined ways to improve farm profitability and encourage more young people to enter agriculture, two of the most significant structural challenges facing European farming.
The Dublin discussions allowed Member States to exchange views ahead of the coming months, which will be heavily shaped by budget negotiations and the wider debate over the future model of support for the EU agricultural sector.
