Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2005
143 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the implications for farming here of the recent proposal from the President of the EU Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, for a further reduction in EU farm payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34185/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra428 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her success in ensuring that direct payments are not further reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34933/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 428 together.
The proposal for the introduction of further modulation of direct payments is one of a series of proposals which was put forward by the Commission with a view to facilitating agreement on the next financial perspective for the period 2007- 2013. The negotiations broke down at the European Council in June and the UK Presidency is aiming to conclude an agreement next month. The effect of the Commission's proposal, if agreed, would be to reduce direct payments to farmers by 1% per annum, beginning in 2009, to provide additional funding for rural development. The Irish position in the negotiations, as decided by the Government, is that the decision of the European Council in October 2002 on the budgetary allocations to the Common Agricultural Policy in respect of direct payments and market supports should be fully respected and that adequate funding for rural development should be provided separately.
