Ireland is "really disappointed with the actions of the US administration with the introduction of tariffs," Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said in Brussels today (Monday, March 24).

Minister Heydon said that the Irish government believes that a "close working relationship between the EU and the US is in everyone's interests".

"Tariffs and trade barriers only hurt both of our peoples so we will be engaging across with our European counterparts on all levels to make sure that we have the best possible approach and response as EU nations," the minister added.

Minister Heydon was Brussels today to part in the monthly meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

He also held a bilateral meeting with the French Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard.

Minister Heydon said one of his key objectives today was to stress how important it is to keep the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) a "critical part" of the funding structure within the EU budget.

"It is so important to our Irish economy and so important to our agri-food system," he said.

Following a presentation from Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, Czesław Siekierski, Polish Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, said members of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council "fully support the goals outlined in the Vision for Agriculture and Food".

"It is now time to turn this vision into reality. To achieve that objective, we need an appropriate and separate budget for the CAP that is based on two pillars.

"The council is fully committed to moving this important work forward. In addition to discussions at the ministerial level, we would also like to have an intensive dialogue with farmers’ organisations – nothing about agriculture without farmers," the minister added.

During the meeting today EU agriculture ministers stressed the need for CAP to have an "appropriate and separate budget based on two pillars, as well as the importance of continued support for rural areas".

Cutting red tape and simplifying policies was also discussed and several ministers also welcomed a more incentive-based approach to "promote the transition towards sustainable agriculture".