New minister Dara Calleary will face a steep learning curve

New Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dara Calleary will fly to Brussels Monday for the first face-to-face council meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

New Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Dara Calleary will have a steep learning curve. Promoted from government chief whip to a full ministry, he will fly to Brussels Monday for the first face-to-face council meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ministers will exchange views on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, concerning in particular regulation on the CAP strategic plans and the green architecture, and will discuss the farm to fork strategy to make food systems in Europe more sustainable.