Written answers

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Department of Agriculture and Food

Common Agricultural Policy

Photo of Tom SheahanTom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had with his EU counterparts with regard to agriculture priorities under the Czech EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20301/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The main agriculture priorities of the Czech Presidency are to continue discussions on simplification of the CAP and on the future of the CAP with a particular focus on the system of direct payments and differences between Member States.

As regards the CAP simplification dossier, I and my officials have participated actively in a series of discussions among a group of Member States to produce a list of concrete proposals for simplification covering, inter alia, the rural development area, cross compliance and the definition of eligible land in the Single Payment Regulation. These proposals were well received by other Member States and the Commission at the most recent Agriculture Council in April. They will set the agenda for upcoming discussions and decisions on simplification and we have secured a commitment that the Agriculture Council will revert to measure progress made on this dossier later in the year.

As to the future of the CAP, I and my officials have visited or met counterparts from a number of other Member States to gain an understanding of their particular approach to the future of the CAP and to press Ireland's views on the shape of future EU agricultural policy. In addition to the informal interaction with all my Ministerial colleagues in the margins of the monthly Agriculture Council, I and my Officials have had formal meetings with Commissioner Fischer Boel and with a number of other Member States.

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