Written question asked by Ian Jnr Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 1 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 November 2011. It was answered by James Paice (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 December 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Devolution

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the outcomes were of the meeting between her Department and the devolved Ministers on 28 October 2011; whether any specific outcomes related to Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement;

Answer: No meeting with the devolved Administration Ministers took place on 28 October. However I and my DEFRA ministerial colleagues meet with our devolved counterparts to discuss Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other EU matters on a regular basis. Most recently we met to discuss the Commission's package of draft CAP regulations for the next multi annual financial framework period (2014-20) in advance of the UK's response at Agricultural Council on 20 October.The DEFRA ministerial team also met devolved Ministers with responsibility for policy areas on which DEFRA represents the UK in EU negotiations on 25 October. The meeting discussed the practicalities of working relationships on EU issues, including how to build a spirit of trust and respect, how to maximise the UK's impact on EU policy; and the specific concerns of devolved Administrations regarding the application of EU policies in their regions.

Secondary information