James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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481. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he has raised with EU officials regarding the need to protect the current CAP budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43011/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The future of the CAP is an issue of enormous importance for the European and Irish agri-food sectors. The CAP has demonstrated its capacity to evolve effectively in response to changing market, consumer and environmental demands in recent years, to the point where it now plays a central role in delivering the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth sought under the Europe 2020 strategy.

The European Commission has signalled that it will publish its CAP communication on 29 November 2017. However, discussions on the Multi Annual Financial Framework post 2020, which are inextricably linked to the future of CAP, are unlikely to commence now until mid 2018.

There will undoubtedly be pressure on the future CAP budget both as a result of the potential impact of Brexit on future EU budgets and because of emerging issues in areas such as immigration and defence.

My position on this matter has been articulated at official and political level and is well understood by Commissioner Hogan, my European counterparts and in the Commission. I will continue to work with European counterparts to ensure that the CAP budget post 2020 is well funded and provides a solid and effective foundation for the development of the sector into the future.