Agriculture

To date, the Council in this Sector has dealt with issues relating to co-operation in agricultural matters. The importance of the role of the Council in furthering synergies in this vital Sector has been emphasised by Ministers who are looking forward to continued progress to mutual benefit in this overall context.

The programme of work in this Sector includes:

(a)  the identification of areas in relation to Animal and Plant Health Research and Development which have the greatest potential for further research collaboration and co-operation as well as a timetable for future work;

(b)  the development of a joint strategy on Animal Health on the island of Ireland, Scrapie Eradication and Foot and Mouth Disease.

(c)  the formalisation of liaison arrangements at official level on animal health matters including the establishment of a Strategic Steering Group which will co-ordinate animal health policy on the island and make regular reports on co-operation on animal health matters together with recommendations for policy and/or operational decisions to the NSMC

(d)  the endorsement of a programme of work for the Steering Committee on Cross-Border Rural Development which forms the basis for a cross-border strategy for rural development within the Structural Funds timeframe 2000-2006

(e)  the maintenance of continued co-operation during the implementation phase of the EU's scheme of Less Favoured Area Payments

(f)  close interaction between Departments and officials in the context of the forthcoming World Trade Organisation Round, EU Enlargement and reviews of the Common Agricultural Policy. Ministers agreed that these were extremely important issues for the future of the agri-sector on the whole island and agreed to liaise closely as negotiations progress with the objective of ensuring that outcomes impact fairly and avoid trade distortions between North and South.

You can view Argriculture Sector Joint Communiques in the Publications section.