French agri minister meets with Walsh

The Minister for Agriculture and Food Joe Walsh met with his French counterpart, Herve Gaymard for talks on the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy today.

The ministers agreed that the policy framework established under the Agenda 2000 should remain in force until 2006 and that the CAP should not be subject to fundamental reform at this stage.

Both ministers noted the absence of a legitimate impact analysis report in regard to critical aspects of mid-term review proposals.

Both ministers confirmed their support for enlargement, but stated there should be no link to the mid-term review

Animal transport, sheep exports to France and EU cereal imports also formed part of today's discussions.