Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the reform of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12578/11]

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his priorities in the negotiations on the reform of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12579/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 54 together.

To coincide with the next EU multiannual financial framework, discussions are underway on the policy direction for the CAP after 2013. Ireland has taken an active part in the discussions to date in the Council and in bilateral meetings with the Commission, European Parliament, other Member States and groups of Member States. The size of the CAP budget is likely to be determined by Finance Ministers and EU Heads of State and Government in the negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework.

Aside from seeking a well-resourced CAP, my main priorities in the upcoming negotiations on the CAP are:

To retain Ireland's current funding both for direct payments and for rural development in any redistribution of CAP funds between Member States;

To obtain flexibility in the payment model or method for distribution of single payment funds to farmers within Member States; and

To retain investment and afforestation measures in the list of options for Member States in the Rural Development regulation.

A Commission communication setting out broad policy options for the future CAP "The CAP towards 2020" was presented on 18 November 2010. Following discussion on this communication at the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers, a majority of Member States lent their support at the March Council to a series of conclusions drafted by the Hungarian Presidency.

The Commission communication was the first formal step in the negotiating process for the CAP after 2013. The formal legislative proposals are due to be tabled by the Commission later this year. In that respect, the Presidency conclusions provide a strong signal to the Commission of the views of Member States in this process. I believe the Presidency's text was an inclusive presentation of Member States' positions and provides good guidance for the legislative work of the Commission.

My view is that we need a strong and adequately resourced CAP after 2013 to ensure security of food supply, to maintain family farming in Europe and, to promote competitiveness and innovation. The continuation of direct payments to farmers is fundamental to achieving these goals. Decoupled income supports, together with the judicious use of market management measures, serve to support and stabilise farm incomes and provide the platform for the production of food and sustainable management of our natural resources and balanced rural development.

We also need to provide a series of targeted measures in the second pillar so that Member States can focus on the particular needs of their own regions and sectors. I am particularly focused on the need for investment measures to restructure and modernise family farms in the context of our Food Harvest 2020 ambitions. We must also of course provide appropriate scope to assist farmers with measures to underpin and improve the sustainability of their production systems and to encourage afforestation.

It is very early days in these negotiations. We still have to see the detailed legislative proposals and there will be difficult negotiations ahead, firstly to secure adequate funding from the overall multiannual financial framework and then to secure the CAP policies that are best suited to Irish needs. In addition to representing the Irish view at Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings I have recently met with my French, Spanish and Danish counterparts. I also plan to meet with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Spellman over the coming weeks. I will also have the opportunity to engage with my EU counterparts at the Informal Council of Ministers meeting in Hungary next week. At official level also we have engaged actively with our colleagues in other Member States, the Commission and the European Parliament. This work has proved very effective in explaining the Irish context and viewpoint and in gaining understanding and acceptance of the Irish position.