Cowen unveils vision for future of European farming

Fianna Fáil MEP for the Midlands North-West and full member of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), Barry Cowen, has unveiled a major new position paper outlining his vision for the future of European farming and the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027.

The paper, developed in MEP Cowen’s role as Renew Europe’s shadow rapporteur for the Parliament’s report on 'The Future of Agriculture and the Post-2027 CAP,' is the most detailed articulation yet of the former Minister for Agriculture’s proposals for EU farming.

MEP Cowen confirmed that the paper will serve as the foundation for his work in the upcoming legislative negotiations, where he will represent Renew Europe in shaping the committee’s position and the final compromise text expected later this year.

Central to the Fianna Fáil MEP’s proposals is the creation of a third, standalone environmental pillar within CAP. This new pillar - backed by an increased CAP budget - would offer meaningful rewards and incentives to farmers who adopt voluntary environmental schemes and sustainable innovations.

In the paper, MEP Cowen calls for a major increase in CAP funding in the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), warning that failure to adjust for inflation could erode over half the CAP’s real value by 2034 - representing a €250 billion shortfall. He argues that, in a new era of heightened security concerns, food security must be recognised as a core pillar of Europe's strategic defence, with agriculture deserving a protected share of broader security spending.

On rural development, MEP Cowen proposes stronger financial and policy tools to address generational renewal - an "existential threat" to farming and rural communities. His proposals include higher income support for young farmers, improved access to land and finance and stronger public-private innovation partnerships to drive sustainability and technology adoption.

MEP Cowen’s paper further calls for major simplification across CAP delivery, advocating reduced administrative burdens and a shift away from the current "income foregone" payment model. He highlights that excessive bureaucracy and a lack of practical usability were the number one issue raised with him by farmers during last year’s European election campaign.

Finally, the document sets out recommendations to strengthen farmers’ position within the food supply chain and ensure that international trade agreements - such as the proposed Mercosur trade agreement - do not undercut EU environmental, labour and food safety standards.

Quotes from Barry Cowen MEP:

"This position paper reflects months of engagement with stakeholders across Europe - farmers, young entrants, producer organisations, innovators, environmental experts and policymakers. It is shaped by their insights and driven by a belief that we can deliver a CAP post-2027 that strengthens farming and rural life while meeting environmental and food security challenges.

"This paper is a starting point, not an end point. In the months ahead, I will fight to ensure its priorities are reflected in the Parliament’s final recommendations," MEP Cowen said.