Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2021
261. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if discussions are ongoing with the European Commission on EU market support measures (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16224/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommon Agricultural Policy (CAP) market measures are part of the common market organisation regulation (Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013), which lays out the framework under which EU agriculture works within the single market. Market intervention measures are funded through the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF).
Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO) in agricultural products rules pertaining to market measures no longer apply to Northern Ireland. The effect of this is that Northern Irish dairy products are not eligible for the purposes of market supports under the CMO regulation.
Since the end of the Brexit transition period on 31st December 2020, the following situation applies:
- products of animal origin from Northern Ireland are not eligible for market measures, including intervention or private storage aid, in Ireland, and;
- butter or Skimmed Milk Powder produced in Ireland from milk originating from Northern Ireland is not eligible for market measures, including intervention and/or private storage aid.
I am very much aware of the importance of milk supplied by Northern Irish farms to the milk processing sector and the difficulties arising as a result of Brexit.
