Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received EU health check proposals due to be published shortly; the impact the proposals will have on Irish agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19601/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission proposals on the Health Check of the CAP are due to be published on 20 May. Advance copies of the proposals have been received in the last few days. The negotiating process will commence under the Slovenian Presidency with a series of Working Groups in May and June. My aim in the negotiations will be to achieve the best possible outcome for Ireland and for agriculture. We have already outlined the issues of concern to Ireland to Commissioner Fischer Boel, to Commission officials, and to colleagues in other Member States. I will continue to take an active role in the discussions at every opportunity and to reiterate our priorities. These include:

Ensuring that further simplification of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and cross-compliance is delivered;

In preparation for expiry of milk quotas in 2015, seeking ambitious annual quota increases and clear, predictable decisions taken at this stage to give policy certainty to producers and the industry;

Maintaining effective market management measures to cater for any market volatility that may occur

Opposing the proposed increase in compulsory modulation.

I will also be seeking a degree of subsidiarity in a number of areas but specifically in relation to the management of the Single Payment Scheme, to adjust policy to national circumstances.

The impact of the whole package of measures on Irish agriculture will clearly depend on what is agreed at the end of the negotiations. The aim is to reach agreement at the November meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers. A consultative process with key stakeholders has been established to advise on the main issues arising in the Health Check and the output from this will feed into Ireland's position in the negotiations.