Brussels proposes cutting CAP payments to pensioners and slashing large farm subsidies in major EU reform plan
Farmers who reach retirement age and draw a pension will lose their right to CAP payments under a radical shake-up of the EU's farming supports proposed by the European Commission.
The measure, contained in a draft proposals for next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which will run 2028-2034, would require all member states to ensure that by 2032, farmers who reach national retirement age and begin receiving a pension will no longer qualify for direct payments.
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Irish Daily Mirror
13 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
EU-US trade deal live updates - 15 per cent tariffs agreed and trade war averted
Businesses across the country are sighing in relief after a 15 per cent import tariff deal was struck on most European Union goods between the US and EU. This is five per cent higher than the current rate, however, it is half of the 30 per cent that US President Donald Trump originally threatened. While it will take time for officials to work out the full impact of the deal, it is being widely welcomed as a bigger trade war has been averted. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said 15 per cent is 'not to be underestimated' but insisted 'it's the best we could get'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has insisted the deal is good for businesses, investors and consumers and will protect many jobs in Ireland. He said: 'The agreement achieved in Scotland between Presidents von der Leyen and Trump is very welcome. It brings clarity and predictability to the trading relationship between the EU and the US – the biggest in the world." The biggest worry is for the pharmaceutical sector, which isn't included in the deal struck between President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. While there is currently zero per cent on EU pharmaceutical imports to the US, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says future tariffs on the sector 'would not increase beyond 15 per cent'. Follow live updates below or check out the latest headlines on our homepage. 11:02 Ciara O'Loughlin The biggest worry is for the pharmaceutical sector, which isn't included in the deal struck between President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. While there is currently zero per cent on EU pharmaceutical imports to the US, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says future tariffs on the sector 'would not increase beyond 15 per cent'. He told RTÉ's Morning Ireland: 'Pharmaceuticals are very complex. A lot of the product that is exported over to the US is not a complete product. 'Almost 70pc of it is components of the final product that will come together and that's why we do need to ensure that we have a very keen rate, to ensure we incentivise innovation in that sector, because that's so important for the global economy. 'We've about 100,000 employees in Ireland, 130 billion in exports in the life sciences sector, and the Government will be bringing forward a separate life sciences strategy later on this year, which will be key in continuing the investment and offering a very competitive proposition from Ireland's perspective.' 11:01 Ciara O'Loughlin Taoiseach Micheál Martin has insisted the deal is good for businesses, investors and consumers and will protect many jobs in Ireland. He said: 'The agreement achieved in Scotland between Presidents von der Leyen and Trump is very welcome. It brings clarity and predictability to the trading relationship between the EU and the US – the biggest in the world." The Taoiseach added that the government will now study the details of the agreement "in the weeks and months ahead'. He added: ''It does mean that there will now be higher tariffs than there have been and this will have an impact on trade between the EU and the US, making it more expensive and more challenging. 'However, it also creates a new era of stability that can hopefully contribute to a growing and deepening relationship between the EU and the US, which is important not just for the EU and the US, but for the global economy. 'Given the very real risk that existed for escalation and for the imposition of punitively high tariffs, this news will be welcomed by many.'
RTÉ News
13 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
In Quotes: Europe reacts to new trade deal with US
The US struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods and averting a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade. Following are reactions from European leaders and trade ministers to the deal. Taoiseach Micheál Martin The agreement "brings clarity and predictability to the trading relationship between the EU and the US - the biggest in the world. "That is good for businesses, investors and consumers. It will help protect many jobs in Ireland." Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris "A deal provides a measure of much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world. "While Ireland regrets that the baseline tariff of 15% is included in the agreement, it is important that we now have more certainty on the foundations for the EU-US trade relationship, which is essential for jobs, growth and investment." French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou "It is a sombre day when an alliance of free peoples, brought together to affirm their common values and to defend their common interests, resigns itself to submission." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán "This is not an agreement ... Donald Trump ate [Ursula] von der Leyen for breakfast, this is what happened and we suspected this would happen as the US president is a heavyweight when it comes to negotiations while Madame President is featherweight." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz "This agreement has succeeded in averting a trade conflict that would have hit the export-orientated German economy hard. "This applies in particular to the automotive industry, where the current tariffs of 27.5% will be almost halved to 15%." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "I consider it positive that there is an agreement, but if I don't see the details I am not able to judge it in the best way." Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan "Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan salutes that a trade agreement was reached it is a good omen," the government press office said. "...It eliminates present unclearness which caused disruptions and uncertainties in transatlantic trade relations." Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo "The agreement brings much-needed predictability to the global economy and Finnish companies. Work must continue to dismantle trade barriers. Only free transatlantic trade benefits both sides the most." Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen "The trade conditions will not be as good as before, and it is not our choice, but a balance must be found that stabilises the situation and that both sides can live with."
RTÉ News
43 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
X introduces age assurance measures to meet regulations
X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has introduced new age assurance measures in a bid to comply with Irish, UK and EU regulations. Under provisions of the Irish Online Safety Code that came into force last Monday, video-sharing platforms that allow pornography must have effective age assurance measures. Last week, the media regulator Coimisiún na Meán said it had not seen evidence of measures taken by X to comply with the code. It contacted platform and asked for an explanation by last Friday. It is understood Coimisiún na Meán has received a reply from X outlining the new measures which the regulator is now studying. In an online help centre post, X said it is required by regulations including the UK's Online Safety Act, the Irish Online Safety Code and the European Union Digital Services Act, to verify age for access to certain types of content. The company said it will take a multi-step approach. This will include age assurance using existing signals such as previous age verification, legacy verified accounts, and account creation dates. The company said where it does not have previous signals, it will look at things like user email addresses and social connections to estimate age. X said it is also planning user involved verification options that will give account holders a choice between "two secure, privacy-respecting options." Users can upload a live selfie, which will be used to estimate their age by artificial intelligence facial recognition systems. Alternatively, users can submit a government-issued ID, which will be used to estimate their age. X said these measures should be made available in the coming weeks. "If a user is determined to be under 18, they will be defaulted into sensitive media settings, and will not be able to access sensitive media," X said. "Until we are able to determine if a user is 18 or over, they may be defaulted into sensitive media settings, and may not be able to access sensitive media," the company added. X said if people believe they have had their ages incorrectly estimated as under 18, the decision can be challenged by contacting X. The company said when it comes to privacy and data handling, it will be updating its use and storage information, and that third party providers will be bound by strict data protection standards.
