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Agriland
an hour ago
- Agriland
‘Critical that CAP is fully funded'
Fianna Fáil TD, Malcom Byrne has said that it is 'criticial' that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is fully funded should Ukraine enter the European Union. Speaking in the Dáil yesterday (June 10), the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin outlined the details of a European Council meeting on March 20, 2025, where the EU's multi-annual financial framework was discussed. According to the Taoiseach, EU leaders had a 'first exchange of views' on the next iteration of the EU's long term budget (MFF), and that the European Commission is expected to publish it's proposal for the next MFF. Deputy Byrne believes that it is 'essential and correct' to support Ukraine's path to membership of the EU. He said: 'From Ireland's point of view, it is critical that the CAP is fully funded and is not just there to meet current requirements. 'While it is essential and correct that we support Ukraine's path to membership, CAP must be sufficient to meet the needs of an enlarged European Union, particularly in terms of Ukraine being a sufficient beneficiary under pillar 2,' Deputy Byrne added. European Union The Wicklow – Wexford TD also claimed that the Taoiseach has been 'very supportive' regarding European competitiveness. 'It is critical that we see movement on the capital markets union to ensure greater availability of capital throughout Europe,' Deputy Byrne said. 'This does not just benefit business; it also benefits consumers because consumers in Ireland could see better value in terms of financial and insurance products,' he added. The Taoiseach said that he has spoken to the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen about the CAP budget. He said: 'I met the President of the Commission about six weeks ago for a substantive meeting on a range of issues. 'I emphasised the importance of the (CAP) retaining its core ring-fenced funding framework. One of the issues will be around how we can increase it. 'The significant pressure on the multi-annual financial framework will be more and more pressures to spend more in different areas but no concrete proposals in terms of additional revenues,' the Taoiseach added.
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Report: Counterfeit drinks cost Ireland €40m in sales annually
Authorities seized counterfeit food and drink products worth €91 million in a single EU wide operation last year, according to a new report. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) said that the fraudulent foods and beverages found contained dangerous substances including methanol, mercury and toxic pesticides. Counterfeit products are often associated with luxury goods or the clothing and fashion sector. However, according to the 2022 Intellectual Property Crime Threat Assessment, foodstuffs – particularly cookies, pasta, crisps and sweets – were the second most seized category of products at the EU's external borders in 2020. Counterfeit The EUIPO said that wines and spirits face one of the highest counterfeiting rates compared to other products, with annual losses in sales of €2.3 billion and nearly 5,700 jobs in the EU. In Ireland alone, €40 million in sales are lost each year in this sector across the EU. A recent report from Europol highlighted that the growth of e-commerce has provided counterfeiters with new avenues to distribute fraudulent food items, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to identify authentic products. The report said that criminals manipulate food labels and packaging and also adjust manufacturing processes, targeting high value products. Last year's joint operation involving Europol and Interpol resulted in the seizure of counterfeit products worth € 91 million, which included 22,000t of food and around 850,000 litres of (mostly alcoholic) drinks. The operation also resulted in 11 criminal networks being dismantled and 278 people being reported to judicial authorities in connection with the counterfeits. China and Turkey were among the most frequently reported countries of origin for counterfeit food and drinks seized at the EU's external border in 2019 and 2020. The European Union has over 3,600 registered geographical indication (GI) products, which are a mark of authenticity. Ireland's GI products include Irish Whiskey, Irish Grass Fed Beef, Sneem Black Pudding and the Waterford Blaa. Campaign The EUIPO has launched the What's on your table? report as part of its campaign for World Anti-Counterfeiting Day. The campaign provides practical advice for consumers on how to protect themselves against counterfeit products including: Buy from official retailers and distribution channels; Verify product labelling and origin; Check for EU Geographical indication (GI) labels; Examine packaging and products for flaws or spelling mistakes; Use authentication tools like QR codes and holograms. Joao Negrao, executive director of the EUIPO, said that the health risks from fraudulent food products remain a primary concern. 'The counterfeiting of beverages, particularly alcoholic drinks, remains a significant issue, with organised crime groups employing sophisticated methods to deceive consumers. 'Counterfeiters frequently reuse original bottles or print fake labels to place on empty bottles, making it harder for consumers and authorities to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent products,' he said.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish pig prices hold at €2.28/kg
There was no change in Irish pig prices last Friday, with producers reporting an average of about €2.28/kg for pigs sold in the Republic. Some farmers report up to 4c/kg above the average, driven by strong demand for Irish-born and -reared pigs. The EU average price for week 22 for E-grade carcass was 212c/kg, excluding Vat. This is 1% higher than the previous week, up 3.3% on last month, but still 4% behind the same week last year. Ireland's percentage of the EU average price stands at 102%, as reported to the EU Commission, for the week commencing May 31. Factory pig throughput in Irish export plants for the week ending June 1 was 54,141 head — 12,516 fewer than the previous week but 568 more than the same week in 2024. Weekly throughput included 1,294 sows. On feed markets, wheat on Euronext is back near €200/t, as strong global competition and a firm euro cap gains. In the US, corn and soybeans are in good condition, keeping prices under pressure. Soybean planting is ahead of schedule. Rapeseed approached €490/t again, supported by a reduced crop outlook in Ukraine. Stable weather prevails for now, though trade tensions remain a concern. Read More Lamb trade slips with base quotes back to 865c/kg
