Vol. 567 No. 5
121 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals in relation to rural development funding for Ireland, in view of the ongoing reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy and specifically, the Fischler Proposals; the mechanism whereby he will seek to maximise the funding made available in view of the requirement for adequate resources at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14399/03]
131 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will outline his involvement in negotiations around the future form and level of resourcing for rural development here; the way in which he intends to participate in and influence the process into the future, particularly in view of the imminent EU membership of the pre-accession countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14398/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 131 together.
Negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food. He agrees with the broad thrust of the Commissions proposals under the mid-term review of Agenda 2000, in so far as rural development is concerned, which is to extend the range of on-farm rural development measures to promote food quality, meet higher standards and foster animal welfare. However, the Commission is also proposing to introduce a system of modulation, which would reduce direct payments to farmers receiving over €5,000 a year to provide additional funds for such rural development. There is an intrinsic contradiction in this proposal to reduce farmers incomes, which will be damaging the economies of rural areas in order to provide funds for certain rural development measures. My colleague has made his overall opposition to the proposals clear in the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers and his objective in the negotiations is to preserve the benefits to Irish agriculture and to rural communities achieved under the Agenda 2000 Agreement. The Minister for Agriculture and Food continues to keep me apprised of the progress of the negotiations.
As I have indicated, rural development in the context of the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy is farm-related, and not wider rural development as is generally understood here.
In relation to the rural development programmes for which I have responsibility, principally Leader, the outcome of the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations will not affect existing financial commitments under the national development plan.
However, my Department will be working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food in the coming period to ensure that coherent rural development policies are pursued, so that the effects of any changes in farm related policies do not impact negatively on rural development generally.
The mid-term review of the national development plan being carried out currently will also assist in terms of assessing the effectiveness of expenditure in this area.
