Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I wish the Minister well in his negotiations. I believe 2010 will be a critical year. I suggest that the Commission's final document will differ little from the policy outline it will publish later this year. Does the Minister agree that the first critical phase of the negotiations on the post-2013 Common Agricultural Policy will involve securing an adequate EU-wide budget for the policy? The second critical phase will involve ensuring we retain as much as possible of the €1.3 billion we currently get. There seems to be a great deal of talk about shifting funds from Pillar 1 to the rural development side under Pillar 2. Does the Minister agree that we cannot have vibrant rural communities and rural enterprises if we do not have viable farming enterprises? Does he accept that any attempt to switch funding from the farm gate to the broader rural community is misguided in so far as it might endeavour to revitalise or retain a vibrant rural economy?

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