Author: Raquel Pastor (AEIDL)
Contributor: Miranda García (AEIDL)
On 1 July 2026, Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of the year. Under the motto “Strength with Unity“, the Presidency has set out an agenda focused on competitiveness, security and European values, with agriculture and rural communities featuring among its key priorities.
Ireland takes over from Cyprus at a time when the European Union is advancing discussions on the future of agriculture and rural development. During the second half of 2026, the Council is expected to continue its work on key legislative and policy initiatives, while negotiations on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) move forward.
Priorities for agriculture and rural development
The Irish Presidency’s programme includes a dedicated section on agriculture and fisheries, setting out five priorities for the sector: food security, competitiveness, simplification, sustainability and generational renewal. The programme also highlights the importance of supporting farmers, strengthening rural communities, and contributing to the Union’s climate and environmental objectives.
Simplification is presented as a central objective. The programme underlines the need to reduce unnecessary administrative burden for farmers and public authorities, while improving the competitiveness of the agri-food sector and strengthening farmers’ position within the food supply chain.
The programme also recognises the importance of innovation, bioeconomy and rural development in creating new economic opportunities across rural areas. Encouraging knowledge transfer, supporting innovation and promoting sustainable rural economies are presented as important elements in the sector’s future development.
From policy priorities to implementation
Turning these priorities into practice requires more than political commitment. Achieving objectives such as simplification, competitiveness or generational renewal depends on reliable data, appropriate analytical methods and effective cooperation between policymakers, researchers and stakeholders.
Governance also plays an important role in ensuring that policy decisions are informed by evidence and adapted to different territorial contexts. As discussions on the future CAP continue, increasing attention is likely to be given not only to policy objectives, but also to how they can be implemented effectively across Member States.
Tools4CAP in Ireland
Across Europe, Tools4CAP brings together 12 case studies that explore how different methodologies and analytical approaches can support the design, implementation and monitoring of agricultural interventions. Together, these experiences provide practical examples of how evidence can be used to address real policy challenges in different national and regional contexts.
Ireland is one of the project’s case studies, led by Teagasc. The case study developed an intervention logic for several direct payment interventions included in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, including BISS, CRISS, CIS-YF, Eco-Schemes and ANC. It also identified potential indicators to support the monitoring and ex-post evaluation of these measures.
By combining scientific evidence with stakeholder engagement, the Irish case study shows how analytical tools can support the design and assessment of agricultural policy interventions. It also provides practical insights into how policy measures can be better tailored to policy objectives, implementation needs and farmers’ realities on the ground.
The knowledge generated through the Irish case study complements the broader work carried out within Tools4CAP. It contributes to the development of practical methodologies and evidence that can support agricultural policymaking across Europe.
Looking ahead
The Irish Presidency will oversee an important period for European agriculture and rural development. Alongside the ongoing negotiations on the post-2027 CAP, the Council is expected to continue discussions on food security, competitiveness, simplification, sustainability,