Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
32. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the most recent discussions at the EU agriculture Council on funding of CAP post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31486/18]
View answerBy way of introduction I would point out that in discussing the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, we should bear in mind that this funding forms part of a broader EU budget which is negotiated by Finance Ministers and then agreed by the European Council and European Parliament.
The most recent EU Agriculture Council of Ministers where CAP Post 2020 was discussed was held on 18th June 2018. This was the first opportunity for the EU Agriculture Ministers to discuss a more in-depth response to the future CAP legislative proposals. All Member States bar the UK intervened in this debate. Proposed cuts to the CAP budget dominated this debate
Recently in Madrid, I agreed a Memorandum, with five of my European colleagues, seeking that CAP funding for 2021 - 27 would not be subject to cuts and would remain at the current level for the 27 EU member states. Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Finland all signed the Memorandum. The declaration against a reduction in expenditure penned by like-minded Member States on May 31 gathering momentum at the June Council meeting. Support has grown for this position and I understand that up to twenty Member States have expressed support for this position.
I believe that European agriculture policies have delivered for Irish farmers and consumers and it is important that support continues to be provided to these programmes. Over the next few years farm families will be required to play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of the environment and the production of food to the highest standards in the world. These high standards, and the family farm model, are part of the fabric of European values. EU citizens have shown that they support this model.
We need farmers to take active steps to mitigate climate change, protect water quality and biodiversity, and improve their competitiveness. A strong CAP is a prerequisite if these objectives, which are in the best interests of all citizens, are to be achieved.
Member States are facing into a difficult negotiation, however, and a number have already indicated that they are not willing to provide additional funding for the MFF. To date Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden have stated that they do not wish to increase the MFF and that a smaller budget should be agreed. From Ireland's perspective, the Taoiseach has already indicated that we are prepared to contribute additional funding, but only if critical policies are supported.
It should be noted that the proposal published by the European Commission is the initial MFF proposal. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations at EU level over the coming year. Achieving Ireland’s priorities in these negotiations will be a key issue for the Government. As I Mentioned earlier, ultimately budget decisions are a matter for Finance Ministers , the European Council and the European Parliament.
In that context, I have discussed with my counterparts at the EU Agriculture Council the importance of a strong CAP Post 2020 budget. I will continue to work with my colleagues across Europe on these matters as do my officials. Since May 2018, Minister Doyle and I have met with the EU Agri Ministers from Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Hungary where the CAP Post 2020 Budget was discussed.
On the 4th of July I hosted a Conference on the new CAP legislative proposals for interested stakeholders, including farm bodies, state agencies and the environmental pillar. This was a timely opportunity to bring all interested stakeholders together for a constructive discussion on the future CAP. The range of speakers came from the political sphere, from the European Commission, and from my Department.
I would like to reassure the deputy that I will continue to fight for a strong CAP budget in the upcoming negotiations.
