Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has said Ireland will make every effort to secure an agreement on CAP reform during its Presidency of the EU next year.
Minister Coveney said such an agreement was an important step in underpinning a flourishing European agri-food sector in the years ahead.
The minister urged colleagues in all three EU institutions to get on with the task of CAP reform.
He was speaking at the 2012 Food Forum for Agriculture Conference in Brussels, which was also addressed by EU Commissioner Dacian Ciolos.
The minister said that if a reformed CAP is to be in place to coincide with the new EU budget period, the time is fast approaching for decisions.
He said as an incoming Presidency of the EU in January 2013, Ireland was committed to playing an active and constructive role in securing a deal.
