Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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684. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he remains satisfied that the CAP review contains sufficient benefit to reward farmers that make a major contribution to the economy while maintaining good management and carbon reduction measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60477/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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686. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the agricultural sector to progress given the CAP reforms to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60479/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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687. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether CAP reform proposals are likely to have a worthwhile positive impact on food production throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60480/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 684, 686 and 687 together.

My view is that the CAP reform proposals will, in particular, have a positive impact on the production of sustainable food and will enhance our sustainability credentials, allowing the sector to become a world leader in sustainable food systems while also supporting farmers to transition.

The new CAP aims to support the achievement of economic, social and environmental sustainability, and these aims are reflected in Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027. The Plan will provide just over €9.8 billion in funding to this end, to support viable farm incomes and enhance competitiveness, to strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas, and to contribute to the achievement of environmental and climate objectives at national and EU levels.

The CAP will also work hand-in-hand with the Food Vision 2030 strategy, which sets out a pathway to Ireland becoming a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food while protecting and enhancing our natural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities within the national economy.

With a focus on the marketplace together with a continuing reduction in the carbon-footprint of our produce, I am very confident that we will continue the transition to become even more sustainable, with benefits for water, air quality, biodiversity, our farmers and our consumers. The supports available under the CAP will have a central role to play in this transition.