Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2015
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the extent to which he has achieved consensus with the various farming organisations on farm supports in the wake of Common Agricultural Policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7250/15]
View answerFollowing the agreement on the CAP Reform in June 2013 reached during the Irish Presidency of the EU, I initiated a comprehensive public consultation process with all of the relevant stakeholders including the farming organisations. Following the completion of the consultation process, I decided on the detailed rules for the implementation of the various measures in Ireland. Consultations and discussions with all of the stakeholders including the farming organisations have continued since then on the exact requirements of each.
My overall objective has been to implement the measures in a way that farmers can comply with them efficiently and effectively while at the same time ensuring the requirements of the EU Regulation and the overall objectives of the Schemes are met. At this stage, I think that there is a good degree of consensus that the approach taken is the most appropriate one from the point of view of the agricultural sector in Ireland. Over the coming days, my Department will be launching a considerable number of new schemes such as the Basic Payment Scheme, the Greening Payment and GLAS.
