16/05/2016

New Minister For Agriculture Meets With EU Commissioner For Agriculture

The new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has met with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, for the first time since the Minister's appointment.

The Minister and Commissioner took the opportunity to informally review current agriculture issues. Among the issues discussed were the ongoing market difficulties being experienced by farmers and the responses required to mitigate their impact, the latest developments in international trade negotiations, including in relation to Mercosur and TTIP, and agriculture-related elements of the recently agreed Programme for Partnership Government.

Commenting after the meeting, Minister Creed said: "I was determined to have this early engagement with Commissioner Hogan, which served as a very useful opportunity for me to outline the Irish Government priorities for the European agenda over the coming months and for us to establish a solid basis for our future working relationship. I look forward to working closely with the Commissioner over the coming period as we deal with the many challenges currently facing the agriculture sector."

Commissioner Hogan added: "I was pleased to meet Minister Creed and I wish him every success in his new role. This is a challenging time for the sector and constructive engagement between all policymakers is essential to ensure continuing support for our farmers and agri-business."

(MH/LM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 January 2013
Minister Denies Garda Cuts
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said there was "no reality or possibility" that An Garda Síochána would be forced to cut staff numbers by 1,00 to 1,500 due to reduced budgets in 2013. He also said that the reduced cuts would mean officers will not be paid this year were "simply wrong".
09 November 2010
Rehn Seeks Political Consenus On Irish Cuts
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn is supporting the Irish Government's measures to cut the Irish Republic's Budget deficit and has today called for political consensus to support the plans. Mr Rehn made the announcement at a press conference last night, following a meeting with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.
10 September 2014
Phil Hogan Appointed EU Agriculture And Development Commissioner
Fine Gael's Phil Hogan has been appointed the new European Union's Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. The former Minister for the Environment was nominated for the position in July by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny. H will now be responsible for approximately 40% of the total EU budget.
10 May 2016
Michael Creed Appointed New Minister For Agriculture, Food And The Marine
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced the appointment of Michael Creed TD as the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The new Minister said the appointment was "an immense honour and privilege".
21 September 2015
Agriculture Commissioner Criticised For 'Missed Opportunity'
Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has been accused of wasting am opportunity "to show farmers across Europe that you understood the crisis many of them are facing".