To provide oversight, governance and strategic direction, and to comply with the CAP regulations, a national AKIS Coordination Body (CB) was established in Ireland. The CB functions as a formal governance structure intended to enhance the coherence of the national system. Its primary objective is to monitor the implementation of the AKIS strategy within the CAP Strategic Plan and to ensure that the various actors within the system are collaborating effectively.
The CB comprises high-level representatives from DAFM, Teagasc, the ACA, and various industry and environmental stakeholders. By providing a structured forum for these diverse entities, the CB identifies gaps in knowledge dissemination and recommends adjustments to policy interventions to ensure the Irish agri-food sector remains competitive and compliant with evolving standards.
Within the operational framework of the AKIS Coordination Body (CB), CAP Network Ireland plays a fundamental role. As the national branch of the wider EU CAP Network, its mission is to optimise the implementation of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) through communication, networking, and the exchange of expertise.
Specifically, CAP Network Ireland is responsible for the organisation and administration of the AKIS Coordination Body meetings. This responsibility includes:
- Managing the scheduling, venue coordination, and administrative requirements of the CB to ensure consistent governance.
- Collaborating with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to identify priority themes for discussion, ensuring that the meetings address the most pressing needs of the Irish AKIS.
- Facilitating the participation of a broad range of actors, thereby ensuring that the CB reflects the multi-actor approach mandated by the EU.
- Documenting the outcomes of these meetings and ensuring that the strategic decisions made by the CB are communicated effectively to the wider agricultural community.
By managing the operational aspects of the Coordination Body, CAP Network Ireland enables the body to focus on high-level strategy and policy alignment, ensuring that the Irish AKIS is a responsive system capable of supporting farmers through the challenges of modern agriculture.
