Vol. 555 No. 3
166 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions he has had with Commissioner Fischler with respect to the proposed CAP reform; if there are any concrete proposals available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18599/02]
I met with Commissioner Fischler in Brussels last February and in Luxembourg last June to put forward my views prior to the publication of the Commission's proposals on the mid-term review of Agenda 2000. On 10 July 2002, the European Commission published a communication on its mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy. The communication has been discussed in the Council of Ministers in July, September and October. It is expected that the Commission will bring forward detailed proposals after consultation with the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Discussions on the detailed proposals are likely to continue until well into 2003. I have told the Commissioner and the Council of Ministers that I will not agree to changes to the Agenda 2000 agreement arising out of the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy which will impact negatively on the Irish agriculture and food industry. Apart from the ongoing discussions in the Council, I hope to meet Commissioner Fischler again before decisions are taken in the Council.
