Speaking during negotiations on the EU budget over the seven years 2014-2020 at today’s General Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton TD outlined the significance of CAP for Ireland.
She said: “The EU needs a strong and effective CAP, supporting vigorous consumer-focused agricultural production.”
The size of the CAP budget, the mechanism for the distribution of funds and the “greening’ of proposals are amongst the key issues for Ireland in negotiations on CAP. In relation to the budget, the Minister stated: “We think that the proposal to maintain CAP funding at current levels in nominal terms should be considered as a starting point for negotiations.”
Speaking at the PAI Conference ‘Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, 1 January to 30 June 2013: Priorities and challenges’, held last week, the Minister noted the importance of CAP and CFP reform when Ireland assumes Presidency of the EU in January 2013.
To view the Ministers speech, click here.