The French Minister of Agriculture, Mr Herve Gaymard, last night said that Ireland and France were working closely together to help their farming communities cope with the latest reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Speaking before the presentation of the Legion D'Honneur to the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, Mr Gaymard outlined his country's opposition to the Fischler proposals.
He said that France had not expected a full reform of the CAP so soon after the Berlin Agreement and added that he he would be working closely with Mr Walsh on the impact in both countries.
He refused to be drawn on the Irish vote on the Nice Treaty, but said he had voted for the treaty as a deputy in the French parliament because it was good for France and for the community.
Mr Walsh and Mr Gaymard had held a unilateral meeting prior to the ceremony in the French embassy during which they discussed issues of mutual concern, including the vexed question of animal transport.
Mr Walsh said that the eight-hour journey time proposed by the European Commission would create major problems for both Irish and French livestock exporters. He also said he had expressed his concern about French demands for the removal of spinal cord as specified risk material from Irish sheep imports.
Earlier, Mr Gaymard met the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, to discuss key issues in the forthcoming Common Fisheries Policy review. Following the meeting, Mr Ahern said that both countries were focused on ensuring a viable future for their fishing industry while at the same time nurturing sustainable development of marine resources.