Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he proposes to take in conjunction with his EU colleagues to protect the concept of the viability of the family farm enterprise throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29644/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am satisfied that the progress we have made to date on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will provide the appropriate policy framework to protect the viability of the family farm enterprise throughout Europe. To start with, the European Council agreement on 7/8 February on the next EU multiannual financial framework secures the necessary funding for the continuation of a strong CAP. Moreover, the agreement last March of the 27 Member States in the EU Council of Ministers represents an important stepping stone to securing final agreement on this reform. We are now in the final phase of negotiations with the aim of full political agreement between the three institutions of the EU on the reform of the CAP.