Vol. 573 No. 4
118 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the content and conclusions of his discussions with Commissioner Franz Fischler on 24 July 2003; if he has had discussions with the Commissioner since then regarding the reform of the CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25590/03]
At our meeting in Dublin on 25 July 2003, Commissioner Fischler and I discussed the following: the timetable for adoption of the Council regulations to implement the agreement reached at the Council of Ministers meeting in June 2003 on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; the legal changes necessary to apply the agreement to the new member states; a number of technical issues arising from the draft regulations implementing the agreement, which were then undergoing examination by the member states and the Commission at Council level in Brussels; the overshoot of Ireland's special beef premium quota in 2002; the possible work programme for the Irish EU Presidency; the proposals for the then forthcoming ministerial conference of the WTO in Cancún, Mexico; and the level of refunds for beef exports to be applied to the Egyptian market.
No definite conclusions were reached at the meeting on the technical issues relating to the draft regulations on CAP reform. The overshoot of the beef premium quota and the level of refunds for beef exports to Egypt were subsequently resolved in a manner which was both highly satisfactory for the country and a source of great satisfaction to me personally.
I saw Commissioner Fischler giving a robust defence of his position on a recent edition of "Prime Time". Following his discussions with the various farming representative bodies, is the Minister satisfied that the Fischler proposals will be supported fully by those bodies?
The social partners, including the farming organisations, are favourably disposed to the reforms initiated by Commissioner Fischler. There are concerns, of course, which I will seek to allay as far as possible through the establishment of an appeals body and a reserve of up to 3% to deal with exceptionally difficult cases. In addition, we have some modulated funds – approximately €34 million per annum – which will have to be spent according to strict criteria established by the Commission. I hope that the concerns about the new Common Agricultural Policy can be allayed. What is being proposed is a far more rational method of dealing with our industry, through which farmers will receive a single farm payment before Christmas, applying to the current year. They will then farm in a sensible way, producing high-quality produce, adhering to food safety and environmental regulations, and getting a return from the market place.
Will the Minister confirm that the modulation funds will revert to the Department of Agriculture and Food? I believe they might be in the region of €36 million per annum. Does the Minister agree that the decision to move the Department's rural development section was unwise to say the least and that, like forestry, it should be reintegrated into the Department?
With respect to the works programme of the Irish EU Presidency that he discussed with Commissioner Fischler, does the Minister have any grandiose plan, mission or aim he can share with us today? He could not share the information with regard to the Estimates but this is something within his control so he might tell us what gems we will see during the six-month EU Presidency.
I compliment the Minister on resolving the overshoot of the beef premium quota because individual farmers and the farming organisations were affected by this matter. I am sure the Minister is happy with the deal he has secured. Does the Minister have any idea when exactly the single payment will be made to farmers in 2005?
Before the election.
Commissioner Fischler is an exceptionally competent commissioner.
He might be replaced.
He has a tremendously comprehensive understanding of his brief and is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his portfolio. He gave a robust performance on "Prime Time". He has taken into account various concerns from Ireland in implementing the ongoing mid-term programme. In a couple of years there will be a review to iron out any teething problems.
In advance of Ireland's EU Presidency, I have been visiting a number of member states and applicant states in particular, which want to have pre-Presidency discussions with us. They regard Ireland as having done very well from membership of the European Union over the past couple of decades. As regards our Presidency, a comprehensive work programme will be submitted to us by the Commission. In addition, we will seek to put our stamp on the Presidency for the six-month period beginning on 1 January 2004. We will also seek to provide confidence for young farmers and young people wishing to enter the agricultural industry. Food safety and the environment will be at the top of the agenda.
What about the modulation funds?
I will be in charge of the modulation funds.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
