Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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876. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding agricultural issues, specifically Brexit, CAP reform, Mercosur and the renewal of glyphosate. [46236/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In the early part of 2017 I engaged extensively with many of my counterparts in other Member States in an effort to sensitise them to the potential impact of an unfavourable Brexit agreement or no agreement, not only on Ireland but on the EU agri food sector generally. More recently at the Agri-Fish Council meeting in Luxembourg last month, I raised the issue of the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s agri-food and fisheries sectors, to ensure it remains at the forefront as the negotiations evolve.

CAP Reform

On the subject of CAP reform, I am in regular contact with Commissioner Hogan and my European counterparts in relation to maintaining a strong CAP budget post 2020 and my position on this matter has been articulated at official and political level and is well understood.

Discussions on the future of CAP post-2020 commenced in the middle of 2016 at many forums including an Informal Council in May last year hosted by the Netherlands and the European Conference on Rural Development held in Cork in September 2016. CAP reform was also discussed at the Agri-Fish Council meetings in March, July and September 2017.

I look forward to the Commission Communication on CAP post 2020 which is scheduled to be published on 29 November 2017.

Mercosur

On the issue of Mercosur, I and my officials have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. We continue to monitor the situation closely and respond as appropriate to developments in order to defend the interests of Irish farmers, working in close co-operation with my Government colleagues, particularly the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and the Taoiseach.

At political level, I have raised the issue with Member State colleagues including the French Minister for Agriculture, Stephane Travert, and with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström. The Taoiseach has also raised the matter with Presidents Juncker and Macron.

Most recently Ireland made a very strong interventions on this matter at the Trade Policy Committee in Brussels on 27 October. I also raised the matter at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg in October and again in Brussels this week. I have worked very closely with a number of other Member States, most notably France, including in the production of a joint paper that was submitted to the European Commission on 26 September outlining our shared concerns. I also wrote to Commissioner Malmström in early October reiterating my concerns in relation to the tabling of a beef tariff rate quota offer by the EU during the most recent round of negotiations.

Renewal of glyphosate

With regard to glyphosate, I have been observing the developments surrounding the renewal of approval of glyphosate with interest and I note that the Commission will table a proposal for renewal of the approval of glyphosate for a further five years, later this week. The Commission’s justification to table such a proposal is based on comprehensive and rigorous scientific evaluation, conducted by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency, and which was followed up by a comprehensive review undertaken by the European Food Safety Agency.

In essence, both reports have concluded that glyphosate does not pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and can be used safely without putting consumers at risk. I am satisfied by the findings of both agencies and I support the Commission’s proposal for the renewal of glyphosate.