Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2015

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Questions (127)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the submission that is proposed from Ireland to the European Union Commission on the new Common Agricultural Policy, including measures to simplify payments or processes; the timeframes for same; the consultation process to support same; the reason there appears to have been no formal consultation call; the mechanisms for making submissions to his Department and-or the European Commission and the contact points proposed; the specific proposals which Ireland is considering at this time, and the rationale for same; when any submission or draft will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6452/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In line with the renewed focus of the new EU Commission on simplification, late last month the Commissioner for Agriculture wrote to all EU Ministers requesting ideas and proposals for simplifying the CAP. The Commissioner requested initial proposals by the end of February and, given the tight time frame, I have decided against a formal consultation process at this point. Of course, I and my officials are in regular contact with stakeholder organisations and would be happy to take on board their proposals.

My officials are currently working on a submission. As requested by the Commissioner, the submission will be guided by the following principles:

- Maintaining the basic decisions of the 2013 reform and concentrating on elements that can be changed within the current policy framework;

- Ensuring that there is no weakening of sound financial management or increase in error rates;

- Giving priority to practical proposals with real and tangible benefits for farmers and which reduce the administrative burden.