The Department of Agriculture has expressed disappointment at compromise proposals aimed at paving the way for a root and branch reform of Common Agricultural Policy.
The proposals, issued by the European Commission this afternoon, were aimed at bridging the gap between ministers and agricultural commissioner Mr Franz Fischler who wants to reduce the vast network of subsidies to farmers.
EU agricultural ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss a drastic overhaul of the much-maligned CAP.
A spokesman for the Department told ireland.com that EU agricultural ministers had rejected the original Commission proposals but were now considering a compromise document.
He said the new document contained only minimal changes but that it was only the start of the process.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh, and his EU counterparts are currently in trilateral talks with the EU Presidency and the Commission.
The European Commission, stung by constant criticism that the multi-billion-pound-a-year Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is failing consumers and farmers alike, is proposing to reduce vast subsidies for the few and target more cash on rural development and farming methods which help the environment.
Major reforms will not reduce the €30 billion a year cost of the CAP - nearly half the entire European Union budget - but will redistribute cash to give poorer farmers a better deal and favour those who switch to agricultural methods which bring down costs.
Mr Fischler has said 'decoupling' direct payments from production was central to CAP reform to avoid distortions to trade and to ensure that the EU lived up to its international agreements.
Mr Walsh said yesterday the negotiations will be crucial for the future of Irish agriculture but insisted that full 'decoupling' is not acceptable to Ireland.
