Ireland was among countries seeking a pause in legislating for the CAP after 2020 at a meeting of officials in Romania on Monday – a delay Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy said could extend for up to two years.

The European Commission, Parliament and the Council of EU agriculture ministers must agree on three separate regulations for all farm supports to be in place for the period 2021-2027.

"A number of member states, including Ireland, stated that despite the significant progress to date, there are a number of issues still to be resolved regarding the three draft proposals and they considered it may not be possible to achieve and agree a partial general approach at the June Council," a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Brexit clash

Current Council president, Romanian Minister Petre Daea, confirmed talks would resume only "when we have a decision on the sums that will be foreseen for the CAP". European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan agreed. Finance ministers are due to agree the EU's next budget in October, but this will clash with the new Brexit deadline.

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy told the Irish Farmers Journal it could now take two years for the Commission, Council and Parliament to agree the next CAP.

"What is required now is a strong statement from the Government that any increase in the Irish contribution to the EU budget will depend on an increased or at least constant CAP budget," he said.

The issue of transitional solutions will be considered once the timing of the reform is clear

Current CAP schemes are set to end in 2020 and each country must produce a detailed strategic plan for farm payments once the general rules are set at EU level.

If these are not agreed in time, Carthy said he expected current schemes to roll over, but added there have been no formal discussions on this.

"This is more uncertainty, which is the last thing farmers need," he added.

"The issue of transitional solutions will be considered once the timing of the reform is clear," the Department spokesperson said.