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Brexit, Mercosur and the CAP budget were discussed by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his French counterpart Stephane Travert in Cork today, Saturday, 30 June.
The French minister is in Ireland for a two-day trip in Ireland and supports Minister Creed's stance on increasing the budget for the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) which is facing cuts of up to 5%.
“We are on one voice on the matter of the need to increase the proposed CAP budget,” Minister Creed said.
“We agreed to continue to work closely together on seeking consensus across Member States on the budget as well as on developing common ground on the detail of the published regulations.”
There is a shared frustration at the lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations.
Minister Creed was joined at the meeting by Department officials Aidan O’Driscoll, who is the Secretary General and Brendan Gleeson, the Assistant Secretary.
The ongoing issue of Brexit and border arrangements between the north and south of Ireland were also discussed.
“There is a shared frustration at the lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations. Significantly Minister Travert reiterated French support for the prevention of a hard border on the Island of Ireland,” Minister Creed said.
The statement released by the minister also added that he had expressed his opposition to an EU-Mercosur trade that included beef.
France and Belgium are similarly opposed to the inclusion of beef in any proposed trade with the South American trading bloc, as they also fear the potential impact on their agriculture industry.
The minister is escorting his counterpart on a tour of the Jameson Experience in Midleton this afternoon, and both ministers will be in attendance at the Clare v Cork Munster Senior Hurling Final hurling final in Thurles on Sunday.
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