Here’s how to have your voice heard on a future CAP

A public consultation on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2020 is set to be launched, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has confirmed.

The minister announced his intentions earlier this morning. The public consultation process will be open for an eight-week period – from Friday (January 26, 2018) to Friday (March 23, 2018).

As part of this process, Minister Creed intends to hold a series of six public meetings to consider the future of the CAP.

Minister for State Andrew Doyle and Minister Creed will – between them – attend and address all of the meetings. It is hoped that these meetings will be an important part of the department’s consultation process.

CAP consultation meetings

This consultation comes against the background of the launch of the European Commission’s communication on the future of food and farming – which was published last year.

With legislative proposals underpinning the future CAP expected in June 2018, Irish citizens will have an opportunity now to have an input, the department explained.

‘Critically important debate’

Referring to the proposed consultation, Minister Creed said: “It is critically important that the CAP of the future serves all of the citizens of the EU.

It must support family farms and underpin the production of food to the highest standards of quality and safety.

“It will also be required to contribute to development of rural areas, the creation of employment and – critically – to make a real contribution to environmental sustainability.”

The minister wants to ensure that he has heard the views of Irish citizens before finalising an Irish position in the negotiations to come.

“These meetings will provide the public with an opportunity to have their voices heard in this critically important debate and will coincide with an invitation to make written submissions on the future of CAP.

“We are all interested stakeholders when it comes to our future food supply and the protection of our environment,” he said.

How to make a submission?

Written submissions should be sent by email to: [email protected]. Alternatively they can be sent by post to: EU Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Floor 6 Centre, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Forms submitted should be marked ‘Submission on CAP post-2020‘, according to the department.

The deadline for receipt of submissions is March 23, 2018.

A consultation document and blank submission form will be available on the department’s website from Friday, January 26, onwards.

They will also be available on request from the EU Division by telephoning: 01-6072183 or by emailing: [email protected].