Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 1

Written Answers. - CAP Reform.

Liam Hyland

Ceist:

100 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the efforts of EU Commissioner, Sir Leon Brittan, to initiate a debate leading to a radical reform of the CAP in preparation for the entry of the new countries of Central and Eastern Europe; the steps, if any, he will take with his other EU counterparts to protect the interests of Irish and European farmers by strengthening the MacSharry reform measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1641/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I am aware of the recent reports commissioned by the Directorate General for Trade — DGI — of the European Commission on agricultural policy in the European Union and in Central and Eastern European Countries in the context of the possible accession of those countries to the Union.

As the Deputy may be aware the European Council at its meeting is Essen in December 1994 called on the Commission to present during 1995 a study on alternative strategies for the development of relations in the agriculture sector between the EU and the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe with a view to a future accession of these countries to the Union. It is expected that substantive debate on this topic will await the presentation of that study. I will, of course, be insisting in such debate and in discussions with my EU colleagues that the interests of Irish farmers are fully protected.