BYRNE ADDRESSES EU AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN CASTLE

 

SDLP Agricultural spokesperson and Vice Chair of the Assembly Agricultural Committee, Joe Byrne has spoken at the meeting of Chairpersons of the Agricultural and Fisheries Committees of the EU in Dublin.

Main speakers at the conference included Mr Declan Ciolos, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Maria Damanaki, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries as well as Minister Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine in Ireland. 

Mr Byrne said:

“I welcomed the opportunity to participate in this conference with a number of distinguished speakers including the Minister of Agriculture Simon Coveney TD who is leading the CAP reform proposals as the current president of the EU Council on Agriculture.

This is an important opportunity for Ireland, who currently holds the Presidency of the EU to discuss crucial issues around our Agricultural and Marine sectors.

The conference meeting had 3 main themes; CAP and its future, Young Farmers and the Reform of the CFP.

Minister Simon Coveney TD is keen to have CAP linked to not only land acreage but to productivity and compliance.

I contributed to the debate on young farmers supporting special grant aid support for them on entering the industry.

In relation to the Common Fisheries Policy I welcomed the recent ending of fish discards and supported innovation and change initiatives for new fishing gear. I also raised the issue concerning Northern Ireland fisherman relating to fish quota criteria alongside ‘days at sea’ restrictions.

This was a major EU conference which I was privileged to attend and participate in as Vice Chair of the Assembly DARD Committee.’