Ciaran Mullooly MEP has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to allocate €205 million to the promotion of EU agri-food products for use in 2026, describing it as a strong and necessary signal of support to the agricultural sector.
“European farmers operate under the highest standards in the world – in food safety, animal welfare, traceability, and environmental performance. If we expect our farmers to meet and exceed these standards, we must also ensure they can secure fair value for their produce in both EU and global markets,” Mullooly stated.
He emphasised that promotion funding is not a subsidy, but a strategic investment – particularly for export-dependent Member States such as Ireland.
“For Ireland, where agri-food exports are central to our economy, maintaining and expanding market access is critical. This funding must strengthen the Irish and EU brands globally. This funding must be delivered with genuine simplification application so that producer organisations – especially smaller groups – can participate effectively in promoting their Agri products.
Mullooly also welcomed the fact that calls from certain NGOs to exclude red meat and dairy products from EU promotion programmes have not led to a reduction in the Commission’s financial commitment.
“Red meat and dairy are perfectly healthy, high-quality products produced to world-leading standards. Their continued inclusion in promotional programmes is essential to maintaining our market share and supporting farm family incomes.”
He added that promotion efforts within Ireland and across export markets play an important role in informing consumers about the nutritional value and role of agri-food products as part of a balanced diet.
