Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1967. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Agriculture Council on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 with particular reference to simplification issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1968. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Agriculture Council on the need to ensure that there will be no reduction in Common Agricultural Policy funding post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34478/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1967 and 1968 together.
The most recent meeting of the Agri-Fish Council was held on the 16th of July. My European Ministerial colleagues and I had the opportunity to discuss the CAP post 2020 in the context of simplification & subsidiarity.
The debate was preceded by two presentations given by Commissioner Phil Hogan and Mr Vladimir Sucha, Director General of the Joint Research Centre. The Commissioner’s presentation included some specific examples as to why the Commission’s proposals will achieve real simplification for both the farmer and administrations across areas such as environment and climate action; ecological focus areas; and, young farmers. Mr Sucha’s presentation examined the use of technology and innovation in the modernisation & simplification of the next CAP.
Ministers generally welcomed the simplification and subsidiarity elements of the new CAP proposals, including the potential for using of new technologies in agriculture. Some Ministers took the opportunity to again express their concerns over the potential administrative burden and associated costs involved with the proposed CAP Strategic Plans. Some concerns were raised over the mandatory requirements of the proposed enhanced environmental conditionality in Pillar 1, the use of indicators, and the requirement for annual performance review.
Ministers also took the opportunity to seek adequate funding for the future CAP, with some expressing concern over the specifics of the provisions for direct payment degressivity and their convergence between Member States. The French and German Ministers presented a memorandum expressing support for the restoration of the CAP Budget to current EU 27 levels. Ultimately, of course, decisions on the Multi Annual Financial Framework will be taken by Heads of State, by Finance Ministers and the European Parliament.
My Department will continue to engage closely with the Commission on all of these issues. We are now at the beginning of a complex set of negotiations and it will be some time before the final shape of the regulations is known. Throughout this process I will be seeking to ensure that the new proposals deliver real simplification for farmers.
