(Young) Friends of the Earth Ireland hosted a public information evening on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in partnership with Friends of the Earth Ireland and Foodture, as part of the Growing Together project.
The event welcomed four experts from four different approaches – a farmer, an activist, an academic and a politician. Each expert hosted a round table with members of the public to discuss how citizens can influence the CAP and what they should foucs on.
The event featured a Fair Food Feast with all food sourced from local, fair food farmers and a photo exhibition featuring the farmers who grew the food.
The event began with a short presentation from CAP expert Míchaél O’Callaghan who outlined current status of the CAP. This was followed with four roundtable discussions hosted by a farmer – Sinead Moran, an activist, Nathalie Markiefka – Foodture/Good Food Good Farming, a politician, Saoirse McHugh – Green Party MEP Candidate, and academic, Míchaél O’Callaghan. Attendees had the opportunity to join each table and learn about the struggles identified by each expert and discuss potential solutions and actions citizens can take themselves.
The event was attended by 50 people, all of whom reported an increase in knowledge of how the CAP works, how they can influence the CAP and how they can support sustainable, small farmers in Ireland. All attendees reported feeling empowered and motivated to take action after the event.
***
