Ireland proposes EU cuts Agriculture funds retained

Oct 10

RTVE reports Ireland, holding the rotating Council presidency, proposing an eight-percent reduction in the EU's coming multiannual budget, about €140 billion below the Commission proposal. It says security and competitiveness would receive less while agriculture and cohesion funds would be maintained, as Spain and other southern countries request. Germany and the Netherlands, leading the frugal countries, seek a larger cut. This is a negotiating proposal, not an adopted budget.

Ireland's rotating Council presidency presents a negotiating basis proposing an eight-percent reduction, about €140 billion, from the Commission's planned multiannual EU budget. RTVE says security and competitiveness allocations would be lower while agriculture and cohesion would be maintained, as Spain and other southern states request. Germany and the Netherlands seek a larger cut. The proposal is not an adopted budget.