Vol. 505 No. 3
61 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the consultation process regarding the detailed rules for the implementation of Agenda 2000; the implications, if any, in terms of resources it may have for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13623/99]
The detailed rules for the implementation of the Agenda 2000 CAP reforms have yet to be published by the Commission. As soon as they are available I will arrange for consultations to take place with the main organisations concerned.
I have already set up a group within my Department to make a preliminary assessment of the resource and operational implications of the policy changes decided on as part of the Agenda 2000 agreement. This task cannot be completed until the detailed rules are finalised. However, I can say at this stage that the resource implications are likely to be significant.
