Agriculture Commissioner to visit Ireland

European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel is to pay an official visit to Ireland on Tuesday.

European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel is to pay an official visit to Ireland on Tuesday.

The senior Danish politician will attend the Irish Farmers' Association AGM and hold talks with the Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan.

In May 2006 Ms Fischer-Boel became the first EU Commissioner to take part in a national parliamentary debate in a member state when she attended a special joint Dail-Seanad session.

On Tuesday, Ms Fischer Boel will deliver a major speech explaining changes for farmers arising out of the "Health Check" of the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap).

READ MORE

A Commission spokeswoman said: "The Health Check of the Cap, introduced in November, aims to build on the 2003 reforms designed to streamline and simplify EU agricultural policy and help farmers meet new challenges.

"The Commission is calling for a wide-ranging consultation on its ideas before it finalises its legislative proposals in May."

Ms Fischer Boel will also give a briefing on the ongoing global trade negotiations and her recent decision to restrict imports of Brazilian beef.