5 Samh 2012, 15:19
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will tomorrow meet with Department of Agriculture Officials for a wide-ranging discussion which will encompass Ireland’s approach to negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy. The Committee will also engage with the Officials on Food Harvest 2020.
5 November 2012
Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “As negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy enter a decisive phase, it is a timely opportunity for the Committee to engage with Department Officials on Ireland’s approach to the talks. CAP, which currently accounts for about 85 percent of EU inflows to the country, is of crucial importance to our economy. Earlier in the year, our Committee held thorough discussions on the subject, hearing a wide range of voices insist on flexibility for national governments in the redistribution of the Single Farm Payment.
“Key negotiations are also taking place on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy. There is widespread concern that Irish fish quotas might be reduced as a result of the negotiations. Providing a sustainable future for 10,000 Irish people directly employed in the industry is central to the talks. The Committee looks forward to hearing an update on the negotiations, and particularly on the efforts being made to ensure the numbers of discards in European waters are minimised.”
The meeting will also touch on Food Harvest 2020, which sets out a vision for smart, green and sustainable growth for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors.
Deputy Doyle continues: “In recent weeks, we heard a series of informative and thought-provoking presentations from food producer representatives and marketeers on achieving the targets of Food Harvest 2020. The Committee will explore with the Department Officials the further policy actions required to bolster the competitiveness of the sector and ensure that the export targets, where practicable, are reached.
The meeting will commence with consideration of a series of EU legislative proposals. It takes place tomorrow Tuesday 6 November in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 at 3:15 pm.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership
Deputies:
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators:
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour