Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that we are united on this issue, as it is important that we achieve a good outcome in the CAP negotiations because that is what will support family farms in the future. I also fully endorse the Minister's ambition of achieving a positive outcome in the negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework. It is crucial that we agree to the budget before we move on to deal with other matters.

The CAP should not create too much green tape. By definition, farming in Ireland is green. As such, farmers should not have to deal with further impositions. We have to look after our young farmers and must also support small farmers and those who were unable to get into the scheme in 2002 for one reason or another. Some may not have been farming at the time, but they now need to get on the ladder. I hope a suckler cow welfare scheme will be supported under pillar one. I am aware that it does not form part of the negotiations, but it is important that farmers have access to such a scheme. The new CAP will provide support for disadvantaged areas, as will the environmental schemes.

I thank the Minister for debating these issues with us and I am sure we will meet him again before the start of the negotiations in 2013.