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# Farmers Rally In Dublin Against Proposed CAP Budget Cuts
- URL: https://aontachtmedia.ie/farmers-rally-in-dublin-against-proposed-cap-budget-cuts/
- Published: 2026-11-14T20:19:25.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-14T20:24:06.000Z
- Description: Around 200 farmers from across the country gathered in Dublin on Thursday to protest proposed cuts to the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
- Author: Aontacht Newsroom
- Tags: News

Around 200 farmers from across the country gathered in Dublin on Thursday to protest proposed cuts to the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The demonstrators assembled close to where the European Summit was underway in the Convention Centre. There was a heavy garda presence and traffic was blocked off from the surrounding streets. Separately, nationwide fuel protests which had been due to take place yesterday were called off after organisers cited a "zero tolerance" garda approach to road blockages. A small Cost of Living & Fuel Protest did take place earlier which was covered by Aontacht media.

The farmers were protesting against the possibility of significant cuts to the CAP in upcoming EU budgets. The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) have warned of a reduction of up to 24% in payments to farmers. Among those in attendance at the rally were European farmer leaders Massimiliano Giansanti, president of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations, and Lennart Nilsson, president of the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the European Union. 

Speaking to reporters from the protest, IFA president Francie Gorman called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to honour commitments had made last year, when he had addressed their AGM, promising that he "would not countenance a weakened CAP budget". Since then however, the government has changed their position entirely, with Martin expressing his hope that their proposal for 141 billion euros in cuts to the long term budget would "act as a catalyst to move negotiations forward". Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne similarly described it as a compromise "intended to bridge the many differences between Member States." The IFA has responded by launching a campaign against the cuts this week, erecting "No CAP Cuts" signs around the country. 

**Background: what is the CAP?**

The Common Agricultural Policy is the EU's longest-running common policy, established in 1962 and accounting for roughly a third of the EU budget. It operates through two main channels: direct income support paid to farmers, and rural development funding for projects and infrastructure in farming communities.

For Irish farmers, the CAP is the core of their sector's viability. Direct payments under the policy make up a substantial share of farming incomes, and are particularly significant for smaller and less intensive holdings in the west and border regions, where market returns alone frequently do not come close to covering costs. Ireland is a net beneficiary of the policy, receiving considerably more than it contributes. A potential 24% reduction in the CAP budget would be a very significant blow to incomes in rural Ireland. It would mean smaller direct payments to individual farms, less funding for rural development schemes, and pressure on the viability of farms already operating on thin margins. 

The negotiations over the next multiannual financial framework are ongoing, with member states divided between those seeking austerity packages and those arguing for protection of small producers. The outcome will shape farm incomes across the EU for the seven-year period covered by the budget. 

This is a developing story, follow Aontacht for more updates.