Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The new regulations for the CAP 2021-27 were launched on Friday 1 June 2018 by Commissioner Hogan. The complex proposals involve significant changes, including in relation to governance, the distribution of direct payments among farmers and the increasing environmental ambition of the CAP.  

Since their launch, intensive discussions have taken place on the proposals.  A significant number of Working Group meetings have been held under both the Austrian and Romanian Presidencies.  The proposals have also been discussed extensively at the Special Committee for Agriculture meetings and have been a standing agenda item at every Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting.

At the conclusion of the Romanian Presidency's term at the helm, it is clear that good progress has been made, but decisions on many key issues, such as the provisions for Direct Payments and the New Delivery Model, have still to be agreed upon at EU level. The Finnish Presidency has outlined an intensive programme of Working Party meetings to discuss specific aspects of the new CAP proposals for the duration of its Presidency, which begins now.  

Before the new proposals can be implemented, it will be necessary to reach overall agreement within the Council and then together with the European Parliament and Commission.  The new Parliament has yet to reach a position in plenary on the proposals.  The on-going negotiation on the Multi-annual Financial Framework, which includes the CAP budget, is another key issue that must be resolved.

I will continue to seek to secure the best possible outcome for the Irish agri-food sector.