Ireland and France agree strategy for EU talks

FRANCE and Ireland have agreed a number of common strategic targets from forthcoming EU talks on agriculture and fisheries policies.

Following a meeting in Paris, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire have agreed both of their interests are best served by a more simple, flexible Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). In terms of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), both ministers are agreed upon the core issues of transferability of quotas and the question of discards.

Mr Coveney said: “I am happy that this meeting forges an even closer understanding with my French counterpart Bruno Le Maire. I will continue to take every opportunity to ensure that Ireland’s concerns are fully understood and that alliances are strengthened in the run-up to these negotiations.”