A spokesperson for Minister Creed has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that the ministers of agricultural heavyweights France and Spain would take part in the meeting, expected to take place in Madrid this Thursday. Other countries included Italy and Finland may also take part, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

"It's a stand of solidarity with like-minded countries who are keen to see the CAP budget defended," the spokesperson said.

French minister Stéphane Travert said earlier this month that proposed cuts were "unacceptable". He added that he had met Minister Creed and was travelling to Madrid to "bring together member states to reverse this proposal".

The European Commission will detail its proposals for the CAP after 2020 on Friday. This follows an outline proposal last month and a budget plan imposing a 5% cut on CAP funding, including a 4% reduction in direct payments.

Minister Creed has vowed to fight the proposed cuts and told the Irish Farmers Journal this month that he was confident the outcome of long negotiations starting now will be different from the initial proposal.

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Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed will this week meet his counterparts from countries opposing a proposed cut in agricultural funding in the next European budget.