Written answers

Thursday, 10 May 2012

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Common Agricultural Policy

4:00 pm

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he foresees the Common Agriculture Policy negotiations to be completed during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23336/12]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Given the nature of any negotiation process, it is often difficult to accurately predict not only the outcome but even the timing of an outcome. This is especially the case when the interests of 27 Member States have to be reconciled across the enormous range of issues covered by the Commission's proposals on the reform of the CAP.

It is important to note also that key CAP issues are in fact being discussed in two parallel tracks, namely: in the CAP reform negotiations in the Council of Agriculture Ministers, and at official level in the Special Committee on Agriculture and four separate working groups, and in the negotiations on a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) setting the EU budget for the period 2014 to 2020, which take place in the General Affairs Council and, ultimately, in the European Council.

In addition, the European Parliament will have a key role in the process and in final decision making.

As a Member State taking over the reins of the EU Presidency in January 2013, Ireland is committed to playing an active and constructive role in securing agreement on the reform of the CAP. However, to do this, three things need to be happen: there must be progress and ultimately agreement on the MFF, there must be substantial progress during the Danish and Cypriot presidencies, at least on technical issues, and all three institutions - the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission - need to engage actively in the negotiating process, with a commitment to seeking workable compromise.

I have assured Commissioner Ciolos and my Member State colleagues that Ireland is willing to play a full role, both before and during our presidency, in seeking agreement on this vital issue, both for the EU and for Ireland.

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