EU Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Ceisteanna (448)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

448. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the joint position by a dozen delegations at the recent EU Agriculture Ministers meeting which called for greater flexibility in the implementation of voluntary coupled aid and enhanced subsidiarity at national level, to grant coupled support in certain agricultural sectors that are particularly important for economic, social and environmental reasons and undergo certain difficulties. [14911/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Up to 13 delegations outlined their concerns at the March Council, regarding the implementation of the provisions on voluntary coupled support (VCS) under the Direct Payments Regulation.  Their concerns are based on the additional information and justification required by the Commission regarding the implementation of the VCS and in particular the impact of excessive Commission scrutiny on national decisions.  The delegations requested more flexibility allowing Member States to target sectors in need, according to their national strategies.

Irish payments are almost entirely decoupled, with only one small coupled scheme (protein crops) and the matter is therefore of limited relevance to us.