Joe Sherlock
Ceist:40 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his priorities for the mid-term review of Agenda 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13968/02]
Written Answers. - Agenda 2000.
The Agenda 2000 agreement which covers the period 2000-06 represented a highly satisfactory outcome for Irish agriculture and rural areas. My priority in the context of the forthcoming mid-term review is to safeguard, to the greatest extent possible, the benefits to Ireland of the agreement.
I do not believe that fundamental reform is necessary or desirable at this stage. In these circumstances, farmers and others involved in the food industry should be given a reasonable degree of stability in the policy framework within which they operate.