The Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok ruled out any increase in the Dutch contribution to the EU budget to avoid a reduction in payments in the next CAP, at an Irish media briefing on Tuesday.

The CAP proposals for the period between 2020 and 2027 have a 5% reduction in budget and while the Irish Government and several other EU countries are prepared to increase their contribution to avoid this cut, the Netherlands is one of the few countries firmly opposed to an extra payment.

The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world after the US and Minister Blok emphasised that agriculture was important to the Dutch economy not just now but in future as well.

The Netherlands has 53 agricultural attachés based in its embassies around the world covering 70 countries.

On the issue of climate change, Minister Blok wasn’t of the view that this should compromise Dutch trade but that with its tradition of using technology he was confident technology would help with this challenge.

Royal visit

Minister Blok, who will accompany King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on their state visit to Ireland between 12 and 14 June also expressed solidarity with Ireland’s position on the withdrawal agreement in relation to Brexit.

He also recalled the impression made on him by talking with people on a recent visit he made to the border.

The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world after the US

When asked if Ireland should prepare for a hard border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, he said that EU borders have to be protected to protect the common market at whatever border though he was not opposed to a technical solution if it existed.

He also acknowledged that Dutch preparations for a no-deal Brexit were being ramped up again having eased with the passing of the March Brexit deadline.

He explained that given the port of Rotterdam’s trade with the UK that preparations were necessary given the changes that would take place if the UK was outside the EU single market and customs union.