Michael Creed
Ceist:246 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Government's view on the French Government's proposal of degressivity in the context of CAP reform. [5550/99]
Written Answers. - Common Agricultural Policy.
Degressivity as proposed by France would give rise to difficulties for Ireland. Annual reductions in direct payments would affect disproportionately sectors such as beef and cereals where direct payments contribute a major element of the support regime while affecting other sectors less or not at all. Also, a large proportion of small-scale farmers would be affected because of the low exemption limit. Major changes in the French proposal would be necessary, in my view, before I would consider it as making a worthwhile and equitable contribution towards resolving EU budgetary problems.
Michael Creed
Ceist:247 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will ensure that adequate policy measures are adopted at the CAP reform negotiations that reflect Ireland's unique position in view of the crises in the Irish beef sector and our position in the European Union both as an island nation and with regard to the volume of our beef production that has to be exported. [5551/99]
I have made it clear from the commencement of the negotiations on CAP reform that the importance of the beef sector in the Irish economy and its dependence on export markets must be recognised in the final outcome of these negotiations. This position was endorsed in the conclusions of the meeting of the Agriculture Council in May 1998 which agreed, at my request, that the reform of the CAP would have to take account of, inter alia, the dependence of particular member states or regions on specific sectors or types of production. I intend to ensure that the agreement on CAP reform will honour this commitment.