Allister continues dialogue with Fischer-Boel
07 May 2007
During a meeting of the Agriculture Committee in Brussels on Monday 7th May, Jim Allister MEP thanked Commissioner Fischer-Boel for visiting Northern Ireland last week, before pressing her further on some of the issues raised on her visit.
Mr Allister focussed on two key issues, the ending of voluntary modulation and maximum flexibility in cross-compliance.
On voluntary modulation, which the MEP described as loathed by farmers and destabilising of the very notion of a "common market", the Commissioner expounded her vision of increasing compulsory modulation while simultaneously reducing the "voluntary" element, till it eventually disappeared. The Commissioner resisted Mr Allister's invitation to put a date on completion of this exercise.
On the cross-compliance review, Mr Allister urged the need to introduce aspects of the package, as they were agreed, rather than waiting for completion of all anticipated changes. The introduction of notice for many inspections was one example the Ulster MEP suggested could and should be introduced this year. The Commissioner responded sympathetically but strongly made the point that member states could themselves do much to help by consolidating inspections, rather than diversifying them, as at present, among different inspectors. She said she had made this point to the Agriculture Committee Chairman and his Deputy last week at Stormont. Commenting Mr Allister said, "I agree with the Commissioner that not all the fault for multiple inspections lies with Brussels, DARD could and should do more to rationalise the process. I hope they will."
