The Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, has hailed the deal on the reform to the Common Agricultural Policy as a 'watershed moment' for all in the agri-sector.

Throughout the past 12 months, I have travelled extensively to communicate Ireland’s position in relation to the CAP to other agriculture ministers and Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos and learn what the key issues are for other member states.

Agriculture Minster Simon Coveney said today that agreement has been reached at a European level on new tests for horse DNA and traces of the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, also known as 'bute'.

THE IFA has disclosed that Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith has reaffirmed his decision to ring-fence €18 million in unused Common Agricultural Policy funds for the sheep sector and that it will be paid out in 2010.

DAIRY farmers milked five cows on mobile parlours near Government Buildings in Dublin yesterday to highlight their falling income.

LARGE supermarket chains were reminded yesterday that they have a responsibility to the communities in which they operate.

A SCHEME to provide fruit and vegetables to school children across the European Union has been agreed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers.

THE EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was staunchly defended yesterday by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith.

IRELAND and France will work closely together in coming weeks as world trade talks enter a crucial phase.

PROPOSALS by the European Commission to improve and simplify the system of cross compliance will be discussed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

ONLY the EU and the Council of Agriculture Ministers could come up with a scheme to pay out €145.6 million to Greencore and sugar beet growers, on condition that the Mallow sugar plant is demolished.

THE EU will fund 50% of the cost of any state help given to the poultry sector suffering a drop in demand for meat and eggs because of the avian flu crisis.

DESPITE cutbacks, the EU forestry aid package agreed last week by the Council of Agriculture Ministers provides a new platform to build on the success of Ireland’s forestry sector into the next decade, said John Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with responsibility for Forestry.

Minister for Trade and Commerce Michael Ahern, today claimed EC proposals on reforming EU sugar policies threaten more than 1,000 Irish jobs.

THE EU Commission proposals for reform of the sugar regime, in their current form, would be devastating for the Irish industry at both growing and processing level, according to Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh.

FOOD products from more than 70 non-EU countries, some of which have endemic foot-and-mouth disease, have been seized from passengers arriving at Dublin Airport recently.