Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I am open to examining the benefits of premium payments for low carbon grass based production systems in the context of the future Common Agricultural Policy, along with the other policy options that are being put on the table. However, I believe it would be premature to direct Irish policy solely in such a specific direction at this time.

The discussions on the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 are still at a very early stage. Although policy analysis and general debates have commenced in a number of member states, including Ireland, they are still primarily concerned with the broad outlines and general principles. These include big ticket issues, such as the amount of funding that will be available, the overall direction of the direct payments system, the positioning of rural development policy in the CAP or with cohesion policy, the need for continued market supports, the question of national co-financing and the need for modulation. In the circumstances, my priority at present is to secure a strong and adequately resourced CAP after 2013. This is a point I have pressed strongly in discussions to date and for which there is good support in the Agriculture Council.

I am conscious of the importance to the EU of ensuring security of food supply and maintaining family farming. However, as a Minister of an exporting country, I am also conscious of the need for competitiveness and innovation. I hope to see all of these objectives clearly reflected in the new CAP.

See this speech in context