Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

To have people like the Deputy raising harum-scarum ideas can instill fear in farmers. Since I was first appointed, I have implored the former Commissioner, Commissioner Fischler, and Commissioner Fischer Boel that we should have pre-notification. The impression given by the media did not reflect what the Commissioner said in Germany. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, discussed the issue with her at Green Week, and I followed on from that meeting last Monday week at European Council level.

The view among all of our colleagues is that the issue of cross-compliance needs to be simplified, which is what the President would like to achieve before the end of his term — I met him last year to discuss this. I will be vociferous in putting forward a number of issues within the cross-compliance sector that I would like to see addressed. The Commissioner has indicated she will bring forward proposals in March to take on board a number of the concerns expressed by all member states.

It is important to note that Ireland was the first country, on the basis of decoupling, to feel the factors arising from cross-compliance, but these are now being experienced in other member states. It is on that basis that we can gather greater momentum. However, it is incorrect to suggest we are trying to change what we agreed. Rather, we are trying to refine the system and I assure farmers my goal is to ensure there is pre-notification of inspections. There are a number of other issues within the cross-compliance criteria that I would like raised and addressed in the context of what the Commissioner will put forward in March and the health check of 2008.

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