CAP principles ‘should not be undermined’
Hervé Gaymard and Joe Walsh agreed at a meeting in Dublin that the fundamental principles of the CAP should not be undermined and noted that there was an absence of a proper impact analysis in regard to critical aspects of mid-term review proposals.
The ministers confirmed their commitment to enlargement, but reiterated that the negotiations should proceed separately to a conclusion at the summit in Copenhagen and that there should be no link to the mid-term review. Both ministers agreed to continue co-operation in defending common interests in the challenges facing agriculture in the years ahead. Minister Gaymard was in Dublin to make a presentation on behalf of the French Government of the Legion d’Honneur to Mr Walsh. ICOS, the umbrella body for co-ops, has meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for a Yes vote in the Nice Treaty Referendum.
In a letter sent to the society’s member co-ops, ICOS president Dessie Boylan said a Yes vote was essential for the agri-food sector and the wider economy. The countries of central and eastern Europe which have applied for EU membership have used Ireland as a role model, as a small member State in the EU, which has created a successful economy in the EU and continues to maintain significant influence.
Agriculture is an important part of the economies in the potential new member States. Many of the these will have much in common with Ireland in the future shape of the CAP policy and will be potential allies for our position.
“As a small country with an open economy, we export 80% of our produce (90% in agri-food). With enlargement there will be a new market of 480m consumers, which is an increase of 107m. Ireland is well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities in the enlarged market.” Mr Boylan said the Nice Treaty was not just about the future benefits Ireland might gain from the EU, it was about whether we want to see the advantages and potential that we have gained, extended to countries that are less well off today than Ireland was when it joined the EEC in 1973.
Meanwhile, Charlie Reilly, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association, has called for serious reflection on the best way forward for the Irish drystock sector in relation to Commissioner Fischler’s CAP proposals. Mr Reilly said the ICSA wants to see an open minded approach on the issue. The current CAP had clearly not been good for the drystock sector.
“ICSA wants to see change going forward and the best way forward for Ireland is to be proactive in trying to shape the changes to the current CAP.
“Change is inevitable in the long term and we need to shape this change to suit the best interest of cattle and sheep farmers,” he said.
