Agricultural Minister arrives in Brussels for talks

The Minister for Agriculture has arrived in Brussels for talks regarding the CAP reform proposals.

The Council of Farming Ministers is meeting to discuss plans by EU Agriculture Commissioner, Franz Fishler, to cut the direct payment scheme.

It also proposes to break the link between production and subsidies.

Minister Joe Walsh believes it is a battle Irish farmers can win.

"I believe we have shown over the past decade or so that we are good negotiators and we are good away-from-home players.

"We fight beyond our weight in Brussels and hopefully we can get a good result from these negotiations."