Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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183. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has had discussions with the farming sector with a view to identifying issues that have caused concern in the course of the past 12 months; if particular provisions are likely to be made to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47285/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I engage with representatives of the farming organisations on a very regular basis and my Department engages closely with them virtually daily, on a range of policy and practical issues.

These include the impact of Brexit on the agri food sector, the impact of international trade agreements including Mercosur, the shape of the CAP post 2020, and a wide range of sectorial issues.

In shaping policy responses I have regard to the views of stakeholders, and also to a variety of other factors, including the constraints of the relevant legal framework, the available economic analysis, the funding  available and value for money considerations.

For example the shape of schemes available under the €4 billion Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is generally the product of consultation with farm and other representative bodies, but also subject to a comprehensive EU legal framework and approval by the European Commission.

In relation to Brexit, I have established a Consultative Committee of Stakeholders in order to ensure a full exchange of information on the potential implications of a UK exit from the EU for the agrifood sector in Ireland. I convened the first formal meeting of the Committee on 7 July 2016 and I have held three subsequent meetings.

In the 2017 Budget I provided seed funding for  a €150m loan scheme for primary producers and in the 2018 Budget I am supporting new €300m loan scheme for SMEs, at least 40% of which will be made available to food businesses. I have also secured funding of €25 million for 2018  to allow my Department develop a low cost loan scheme for farmers, fishermen and food businesses similar to the 2017 scheme.

I have also provided an additional €14m for Bord Bia since the end of 2016 and my department has intensified its efforts, including through a programme of trade missions, to ensure that Irish food products have access to as many international markets as possible.

In relation to Mercosur, I have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a bad deal on the European beef sector. At political level, I have raised the issue with Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström, and within the Council of Agriculture Ministers as recently as yesterday, and the Taoiseach has raised the matter with Presidents Macron and Juncker.

On CAP, Ireland will continue to argue for a strong  budget and continued commitment to the provision of support for family farms.

I wish to assure the House that I will continue to engage closely with stakeholders, including farm bodies, and remain focused on supporting the agrifood industry through the challenges ahead.