Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to put forward at EU level the need to protect the CAP budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31524/17]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he has had with the EU agriculture and budget Commissioners regarding the need to protect CAP funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31525/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

The CAP budget is an issue of enormous importance to Ireland and the European agri-food sector.  It accounts for some 37% of the overall EU budget.

The recent “Reflections Paper on the future of the EU Finances” by the European Budget Commissioner outlines the demands on the EU budget post 2020 against the background of the potential impact of the UK's exit from the European Union.  Other spending priorities may include areas such as migration, security, defence and development co-operation. The reflection paper points to the need to ensure that European Union budget adds value. That is a principle to which Ireland can subscribe.  

The CAP is a policy which has adapted over time to the needs of citizens and contributes to development in rural areas, employment creation, environmental sustainability and the provision of safe food that meets the high standards that EU consumers have come to expect.  It also plays a central role in delivering the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth sought under the Europe 2020 strategy.  It is important that the CAP continues to evolve in a way that supports the achievements of European priorities, particularly in the context of securing a strong CAP budget for the post-2020 period.  This can only be achieved by reinforcing the relevance and effectiveness of the policy in helping to achieve broader societal goals.  

For now, it is worth noting that the amount of CAP funding per Member State for pillar 1, direct payments, and pillar 2, rural development, is fixed until 2020 in Regulations of the Council and European Parliament.  Any change to these figures will require a co-decided amendment to these Regulations.

While formal discussions on the Multi Annual Financial Framework have not yet commenced, Ireland supports the retention of a strong and well funded CAP and its position on this matter has been articulated at official and political level and is well understood in other member States and in the Commission. I will be working hard with my European counterparts to ensure that the CAP budget post 2020 provides a solid and effective foundation for the development of the sector into the future, when discussions do commence.  In addition officials in my Department are also working closely with the Department of Finance on the next MFF.