'The fight for the future of Irish farming is already underway' - Natasha Newsome Drennan TD

Family farms are at the heart of communities across Carlow and Kilkenny – sustaining livelihoods for generations. But today we face an unprecedented fight for the future of Irish farming and rural communities.

At home, we are facing rising input costs, increasing bureaucracy, unpredictable weather, and volatile market prices.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget has provided Ireland, and the rest of the EU, with food security while supporting farmers and rural development for over 50 years.

Globally, we are facing increasing uncertainty due to escalating conflicts and global warming.

Cutting CAP funding by €87 billion is a reckless policy move that will threaten our security and wellbeing.

With inflation and the rising cost of living, CAP funding needs to be increased to support Irish family farms and our rural communities.

The European Union needs to stand by those who have fed Europe and beyond with high-quality, sustainable produce. The Irish Government cannot stand idly by while trade deals like Mercosur – which will devastate Irish agriculture and cause untold environmental damage – are forced upon us.

As a member of the Dáil Committee on Agriculture and Food, I’ve been a strong voice for our local farmers:

- Opposing the Mercosur Deal to prevent cheap, low-quality South American beef from undermining Irish farmers and our environment.

- Fighting to increase the CAP budget to reflect rising costs, protect its two-pillar structure, and cut excessive bureaucracy.

- Rejecting cuts to income supports for farmers on a pension.

- Demanding action against ‘cartel-like’ behaviour by empowering the Agri-Food Regulator to investigate anti-competitive practices and ensure fair prices.

About Natasha:

A Knocktopher native, Natasha lives in South Kilkenny with her husband John and their four sons, running a suckler farm. With 18 years’ experience in disability care, she campaigns for:

- Increased supports for Disability Services
- Fairness for farmers & rural communities
- Reduced assessment waiting times
- Improved school/public transport
- Investment in rural facilities

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