Charlie McConalogue
Question:210. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the topics discussed at the most recent European Council agricultural Ministers meeting. [10808/18]
View answerTuesday, 6 March 2018
Questions (210)
Written answers
I attended the Agri-Fish Council in Brussels on the 19th February. The main items discussed at Council were the Commission's Communication on the Future of Food and Farming, the role of the agriculture sector in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and the EU Protein Strategy.
My Ministerial colleagues and I exchanged views on the Future of Food and Farming, based on questions posed by the Presidency regarding direct payments, measures for environmental protection and climate action, and, rural development.
The discussion on the EU's Bioeconomy Strategy and the role of the agriculture sector, focussed on supporting the development of a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy and enhancing the benefits for primary producers in this context. The question of improving the integration of farmers and foresters into the bio economy value chains also featured.
In addition, Commissioner Hogan provided an update at Council on the EU Protein strategy.
There were also a number of AOB items discussed, including an initiative to set up an EU Africa Task Force for 'Rural Africa' with a view to strengthening the cooperation between the European Union and the African Union in the field of agriculture and food production.