Minister speaks of need to be 'flexible and adaptive' in CAP implementation

McConalogue is attending this week's Agrifish council meeting in Brussels.

Mr McConalogue said that the implementation of the CAP must be "farmer-friendly", which provides farmers with "maximum clarity as we move towards a new system". Picture: Damien Storan

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has underlined the need for flexibility on the part of both member states and the European Commission as Ireland begins to implement its new CAP Strategic Plan.

Speaking ahead of this week's Agrifish council meeting in Brussels, Mr McConalogue said that Ireland was fortunate to be in the first batch of plans approved by the European Commission in August this year, however, preparing the plan in "such a challenging timeframe was very difficult".