Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has highlighted the key policy developments which have taken place in the agri-sector during the first month of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU.

The minister said that he has "been leading work" in a number of areas since he assumed the chair of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

In the first month of Ireland’s presidency, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine chaired 14 council 'Working Party' meetings on a range of important policy issues.

These Working Party meetings are a part of the legislative process of the EU, as they examine and negotiate policy in detail before it is discussed by ministers at council level.

Those Working Party meetings covered a number of notable policy areas, including the Animal Welfare During Transport Regulation.

The department said that it will continue to work on progressing that legislative file with an emphasis that rules must be "firmly based on scientific and technical knowledge".

Other policy areas covered this month include updated organic farming regulations; reforms to the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation; and promoting women in agriculture.

As well as progress on those policies, the first month of Ireland's presidency also saw Minister Heydon chair the July meeting of agriculture and fisheries ministers in Brussels earlier this month.

Topics discussed included the European Commission’s new livestock strategy and protein plan; the role of women in agriculture; as well as a discussions on the importance of the EU’s protected geographical indications in trade.

Minister Heydon also met with the European Parliament's committees for agriculture, fisheries and the environment. 

Commenting on the key events of the first month of Ireland's presidency, Minister Heydon said: "My department has been engaging in intensive work on policy files of direct relevance to the agri-food and fisheries sectors.

"Holding the EU presidency provides Ireland with an opportunity to help shape the EU agenda and to work with member states to reach agreements on policy matters that have the potential to benefit farm families, and fishermen and fisherwomen, in Ireland and across the European Union," he added.

Speaking about the priorities over the next five months of the presidency, Minister Heydon said: "Progressing discussions on the new Common Agricultural Policy [CAP] is of critical importance. A strong and adequately funded CAP is important for supporting food production, rural communities, as well as the long-term sustainability of the European agri-food sector.

"I also look forward to holding the informal meeting of agriculture ministers in Dublin in September. The central discussion will focus on the future of European livestock farming," the minister added.

"The meeting will also provide an opportunity to showcase Ireland’s strengths in grass-based agriculture, research, innovation and sustainable food production," he said.