As the final Agriculture Council under the Irish Presidency drew to a close this evening in Luxembourg, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney TD welcomed the progress that had been achieved to date on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) but underlined that finalisation of an agreement had not yet been achieved.
Since early Sunday, the Minister has been leading negotiations within and between the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers, the European Commission and the European Parliament as he attempts to put in place a policy which will support an innovative, sustainable agriculture sector into the future.
“Over the past three days much work has been done by all three institutions in trying to agree on a framework for agricultural growth that is progressive, sustainable and forward looking,” he said in a statement tonight.
“I am very pleased with how discussions have gone to date and impressed by the degree of flexibility shown by all parties. While it is fair to say that we have reached agreement in principle on a number of issues, we are still some way from an overall political agreement. Tomorrow’s trilogue will be difficult but decisive”
A final discussions will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels between the Irish Presidency, led by Minister Coveney, the European Parliament and the European Commission later today.
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