Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:179 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position within the EU regarding Agenda 2000; if changes are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/01]
Written Answers. - Agenda 2000.
The Agenda 2000 agreement which was finalised by the European Council in March 1999 in Berlin set the policy framework for the CAP until 2006. However, a number of mid-term reviews are provided for as follows: a review of the agricultural financial guideline; a decision on the final reduction in the intervention price for cereals to apply from 2002-2003; a review of the oilseeds market; a review of intervention in the beef sector; a review of the milk quota regime; and a review of expenditure to ensure that it does not exceed an average annual of 40.5 billion.
Commissioner Fischler has indicated in recent announcements that the Commission intends to combine the various reviews in an overall review of Agenda 2000 in 2002. The Commission has not yet published any proposals.
My position on the reviews will be to ensure that the benefits to Irish agriculture from the Agenda 2000 agreement, which represented a favourable outcome for Ireland, are maintained and that any re-orientation of the CAP is suitable to the requirements of Irish agriculture.