Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has put forward at the European agriculture Council regarding the need to increase the CAP budget post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy way of introduction I would point out that in discussing the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, we should bear in mind that this funding forms part of a broader EU budget which is negotiated by Finance Ministers and then agreed by the European Council and European Parliament.
The European Commission has proposed, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, that funding for the Common Agricultural Policy should be set at €365 billion. This would indicate a cut of around 5% for the next MFF period of 2021 - 2027.
The Multiannual Financial Framework sets the budgetary ceilings for the next seven years across a range of headings. Member State priorities are not identical, and not all member states favour maintaining CAP funding. Furthermore, in the light of the departure of the UK from the European Union, net contributions to the EU budget will be reduced by approximately €12 billion. Therefore agreeing an MFF which maintains current levels of CAP funding will be challenging.
Nonetheless it should be noted that the proposal published by the European Commission is an initial MFF position. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations at EU level over the coming year. Achieving Ireland’s priorities in these negotiations will be a key issue for the Government.
This MFF proposal will now have to be negotiated by Finance Ministers and agreed by the European Council and Parliament. The intention of the Commission is to reach overall agreement on the MFF before the European Parliamentary Elections in 2019. Of course the MFF is a critical matter for all Member States and agreement on the MFF requires unanimity amongst all EU Member States.
I believe that European agriculture policies have delivered for Irish farmers and consumers and it is important that support continues to be provided to these programmes. Over the next few years farm families will be required to play a vital role in the protection and enhancement of the environment and the production of food to the highest standards in the world. These high standards, and the family farm model, are part of the fabric of European values. EU citizens have shown that they support this model.
We need farmers to take active steps to mitigate climate change, protect water quality and biodiversity, and improve their competitiveness. A strong CAP is a prerequisite if these objectives, which are in the best interests of all citizens, are to be achieved.
So while these matters will not ultimately be decided in the Agriculture Council, I have been working to build consensus among my agriculture colleagues across the European Union to support a reversal of the cuts proposed to the CAP budget.
Recently in Madrid, I agreed a Memorandum with five of my European colleagues, seeking to maintain CAP funding for the period 2021-2027 at current EU 27 levels. Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Finland all signed the Memorandum. Support has grown for this position and I understand that up to twenty Member States have expressed support for this position.
This work has continued as part of ongoing bilateral meetings. Since May 2018, I have, together with my colleague Minister Doyle, met with EU Agri Ministers from Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Hungary to discuss MFF issues.
I would like to reassure the deputy that I will continue to fight for a strong CAP budget in the upcoming negotiations.
