McConalogue calls for strong engagement with farmers to prepare for the next CAP at Agricultural and Fisheries Council Meeting

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D attended todays Agricultural and Fisheries Council Meeting in Luxembourg. Ministers from all European Union states engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the preparations for the next Common Agricultural Policy. As part the Council Meeting, European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, updated the Council on the measures to simplify the CAP adopted in response to the challenging operating environment being faced by farmers all across the EU.

Speaking at a discussion on the future of European Agriculture, Minister McConalogue called for strong consultation with farmers.

"If we are asking farmers to achieve policy objectives, then they have to be at the heart of those discussions."

While welcoming the measures already undertaken by the Commission, during an exchange of views to on how to address current challenges facing the agricultural sector, Minister McConalogue emphasised that more can be done stating

"I am confident that there are further opportunities to effectively streamline processes in the future."

Minister McConalogue also called for a renewed focus on the need for a properly resourced CAP.

"We need a well-funded CAP with a budget that matches its ambition. For the next CAP, and the strategic plans, simplicity and flexibility are needed."