Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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246. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the policy view in the EU communication 'The Future of Food and Farming Communication' which proposes to delegate to member state level the design and delivery of some CAP measures which are under the EU’s remit; his further views on concerns that the new delivery mechanism proposing that member states tailor implementing measures to local circumstances would jeopardise the level playing field among farmers; and his views on whether moves to renationalise farm rules add further complexity to CAP schemes. [2662/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission published its CAP Communication titled “The Future of Food and Farming” on 29 November 2017.

The Communication proposes a simpler CAP, with a sharper focus on objectives and results, particularly in the environmental area. A key proposal of the Communication offers greater freedom for Member States to implement CAP in a manner which suits their own climatic and environmental conditions, with basic policy parameters and objectives laid down at EU level. This would require Member States to develop a simple CAP Strategic Plan, to be approved by the Commission, which would cover both Pillar I and Pillar II interventions.

As a proponent of subsidiarity, I am glad this features in the Communication in a significant way. Nonetheless reconciling this ambition with administrative simplification will not be easy.  Although the Communication proposes a simpler planning process than that currently in place for Rural Development Programmes, Member States will have to work hard together to ensure that this does not lead to further complexity, and that integrity of the single market is preserved.

My Department is currently reviewing the Communication in advance of legislative provisions to be presented by the Commission in mid 2018.