Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

Mairead and Teagasc Director Prof Gerry Boyle with members of the Agricultural Catchments Programme inspecting water quality monitoring equipment near Dunleer, Co. Louth.

10 January 2012

The beginning of each New Year brings new hopes and aspirations for the months ahead. After such a difficult year, many are hopeful for a more positive 2012 and greater progress on our path to economic recovery.

Much will depend on how EU leaders begin the year and we will all be watching for the outcome of the next summit at the end of the month.

There is some concern about the number of leader summits being held since the crisis hit. In my view we need more not fewer summits. Governing the EU and the Eurozone requires more frequent engagement by EU leaders on EU matters.

In a complex and ever changing world, it seems appropriate that leaders meet more regularly. I have heard some former EU leaders say that they now realise how little time was devoted to EU matters during their term as head of state or government and how important it is that time be devoted by EU leaders specifically on EU maters.

It is the nature of politics that leaders devote most of their energy to national issues, but given the need to stabilise the euro zone and the EU, it seems only right that a great deal of time be spent by the leaders of the 27 member states of the EU on making the EU work better.

This would restore much needed confidence of citizens and of markets – both key to economic recovery.

In my own work on the Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, the emphasis in 2012 will be on negotiations on the proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. These are the toughest reforms ever faced by the EU, in terms of policy direction and budgetary resources.

As co-author of a Parliament report on the ‘Direct Payments’ section within the legislative package, I have warned that the redistribution of payments between member states and between farmers within each member state must be handled sensitively in order not to disrupt productive agriculture.

Direct payments provide income support to farmers in times of massive price and income volatility. These supports have an important impact in every part of the EU and ensure that agricultural activity is maintained.

I took to the fields over Christmas for long and enjoyable walks with the dog (Sam). I even managed to get him to obey my commands, which is progress for both me and the dog!

I also took the time to catch up with important research work in the area of water quality.
Teagasc is carrying out some very interesting work regarding the Nitrates Directive Action Programme. I visited two of the research sites, one near Dunleer in Co Louth and the second at Lough Sreenty, Co Monaghan.

I was accompanied by the Director of Teagasc Prof Gerry Boyle and a team of researchers and advisers. The work will be vital in framing environmental initiatives in the years ahead and in deepening our understanding of the highly complex nature of water quality, soil type etc. and the many factors which contribute to good water quality.

Knowledge is key to putting in place effective policies and it is heartening that in both of these catchment areas farmers are co-operating with the projects and are keen to know and understand the findings. The co-operation of farmers is vital to the success of these projects.