Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that trade deals negotiable by the EU, in the aftermath of Common Agricultural Policy reform, do not undermine the Irish or European food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26527/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As a small open economy dependent on trade, Ireland favours ambitious and balanced trade agreements. We have a number of offensive interests in the current negotiations that are taking place with Japan, India, Vietnam, Thailand and of course the United States. Like others we have defensive interests as well. The current negotiations with MERCOSUR come to mind in that regard.

The recent reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was a useful and progressive reform making the CAP fit for purpose to 2020. It provided farmers and the agri-food sector with policy certainty for the years to come and with strategic financial support to increase sustainability and enhance competitiveness. Against this background, we must ensure that there is proper coherence between trade and agricultural policy in the EU. I have consistently made this point to my colleagues in other EU Member States and to the Commission and I will continue to work to ensure that we engage in trade negotiations that promote the interests of the EU agricultural sector.