Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of discussions on increasing the CAP budget and legislative proposals post 2020; and the developments at European Parliament and Council level on same. [47642/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I would point out that in discussing the funding for the CAP post 2020, we should bear in mind that these discussions are taking place as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post 2020 proposals, which is a matter for Heads of State and Government.

The retention of a sufficient budget for the CAP is an essential requirement for Ireland. This is further emphasised by future Brexit issues. I have been actively engaging with my European counterparts on this issue. Along with counterparts from France, Spain, Finland, Portugal and Greece, we have called for the restoration of the CAP budget for the 2021 – 2027 period to current levels. Up to 20 Member States have joined this alliance and we will continue to work together in an effort to build consensus on this point. I recognise that to achieve the best outcome, we need to seek common ground with like minded Member States. Ireland will continue to seek to build alliances as the negotiations for the next CAP and its budgetary allocation progress and I will continue to fight for a strong CAP budget.

As regards the CAP legislative proposals themselves, the European Commission’s objective is to have the proposals adopted by the co-legislators in spring 2019, prior to the European Parliament Elections in May that year.

The Austrian Presidency scheduled an intensive programme of Working Party meetings to discuss the CAP proposals during its Presidency. These meetings have been ongoing since July, with up to 20 Working Group meetings having taken place so far. Further meetings are scheduled throughout the remainder of this month and into December. The Presidency is currently working on revisions to reach overall agreement.

In addition, the CAP Post 2020 has been discussed at the Special Committee of Agriculture meetings on a regular basis. CAP post 2020 has also been a standing agenda item at every Agri-Fish Council meeting. I had the opportunity to discuss the CAP proposals at our last meeting on 15 October, which looked at the performance framework and the new greening architecture. The CAP proposals will also be discussed at the next Agri-Fish Council meeting on Monday next, 19 November, with the focus being placed on the increased responsibilities of Paying Agencies and Certification Bodies under the new delivery model, and, the appropriateness of existing market support measures.

From the European Parliament’s perspective, COMAGRI is expected to discuss the three draft reports on the future CAP at Committee level, when they meet on 21 November in Brussels, with the deadline for amendments set for 3 December. It is suggested that the amendments for legal & linguistic revision would be sent by 7 December and then on for translation by 11 December, to be ready in early January 2019. COMAGRI is aiming to vote on the amendments on 18/19 February, while the second session in March 2019 (25-28) has been set as the “deadline” for a plenary vote.