Co-operation on international trade discussed at cross-border meeting

CROSS-BORDER co-operation on international trade issues, rural development and animal welfare were all discussed at the 16th North South Ministerial Council Agriculture meeting in the NSMC joint secretariat offices, Armagh.

The ministers discussed the CAP reform process, the alteration of national net ceilings for direct payments, changes to the single payment model, greening payments and a capping of large payments, changes to the details of rural development measures and changes on financial regulations.

They also discussed the tariff liberalisations and market access issues in the EU’s Mercosur talks with South American countries.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Simon Coveney, Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government Phil Hogan, and the North’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill, and Edwin Poots, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Mr Coveney chaired the meeting.

The ministers welcomed the €10m INTERREG IVA funding for six strategic cross-border rural development projects.

The council looked at ongoing co-operation on approaches to tackling rural poverty and social exclusion.

Ministers also welcomed the outcome of a joint meeting between chief veterinary officers from both jurisdictions and the EU Commission at which the officers set out the case for the All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and the Commission acknowledged that the strategy’s aims formed part of the considerations of the new EU Animal Health Law.

The council also discussed the launch of the first All-Island Animal Disease Surveillance Report and the agreement of a memorandum of understanding between official laboratories to foster enhanced co-operation and participation in collaborative research; and plans to produce maps of disease control zones in the case of an outbreak on either side of the border.

The council will discuss an updated report on cross-border animal health and welfare co-operation at the next NSMC Agriculture meeting in January 2012.