Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank members for their contributions. The Secretary General is probably aware that there is some division on what is the best way to proceed in the negotiations on CAP reform from an Irish perspective. Some people are more in favour of a flattening of the rate than others. Statistics, simplistic as they may be, indicate that this is required.

The Cypriot Presidency is coming to an end and a dossier has been produced. What has been agreed, other than the proposal to reduce the overall MF by €50 billion and to reduce the CAP by 2%? Is it the Cypriots who are seeking a sign off on Pillar 1, without having the whole package agreed? Is that their significant achievement during their six month Presidency? Will that be the measure of their achievement? We need to know this.

Commissioner Cioloş got agreement in the Commission on the maintenance of the budget on the basis of producing as much food as possible within the EU, doing so sustainably while protecting rural communities. That is the foundation for his justification of the budget and everything else revolves around that. Mention was made of reference years and young farmers but the definition of an active farmer is in effect coupling, without actually going to a coupled number, per head or per acre. If the single farm payment money follows food production, in simplistic terms, then that should achieve coupling and should ensure that payments are only made to those who produce in the future. If they do not produce, they do not get paid. In a scenario where land is either rented or leased, neither the landowner nor the lessee should have a dominant position. They are mutually dependent and should be treated as such. That is the nut that has not been cracked. If we can achieve that, it would be real progress but I am very fearful that next June, at the 11th hour, a flawed system will be devised, agreed and signed off on. That will undermine everything else that is done on greening, on redistribution and on flexibility.

I respect what Senator Brian Ó Domhnaillsaid. As far as I know, Macra na Feirme is supportive of the thrust of the negotiating tactics. I understand the definition of permanent pasture is land that is in grass for more than eight years. This was looked at during the Danish Presidency, from the point of view of offering two crops, with one crop being under eight years old and permanent pasture being defined as pasture in place for longer than eight years, which would allow for two crop on grassland. Is that correct?

Will Mr. Moran give us an overview of Food Harvest 2020 because they are interlinked? We can publish his contribution as providing additional information.