asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, as a guideline for farmers and policymakers preparing for EEC conditions, he will introduce a national plan for agriculture with quantified targets for each commodity drawn up with reference to the market opportunities that will be available to this country as a member of the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
44.
In April last my Department published a special study on the implications for Irish agriculture and fisheries of membership of the EEC. That publication set out, so far as the position could be assessed, the prospects and market opportunities which would exist for the different agricultural commodities in an enlarged European community. I do not think that the introduction of a national plan for agriculture on the lines suggested is called for. Our pattern of agricultural production is, in fact, already such as to enable us to derive considerable advantage from EEC membership.
Would the Minister not agree that it is very important to have specific quantified targets for each commodity so that there will be a way of knowing whether, in any given year, we are progressing in accordance with the policy which is in our best interests for EEC membership and that a broad figure for the whole of agricultural production, without specific targets for each commodity, really does not provide us with any useful guideline?
The Deputy seems to leave one very important factor out of his consideration of this matter, that is, the individual judgment of the individual farmer. They should assess what particular lines will be the most attractive for Irish farmers in an EEC context. They will be the best judges too.
What is the point in having a programme at all then?
Will Deputy Bruton please allow questions to continue? Question No. 45.
It is just window-dressing to be given out to the faithful every year.
There is no window-dressing about it. We want to disseminate as much information as we can so that the farmers, who will primarily make the final decisions, will be in the best possible position to decide for themselves the lines of development.
Why call it a programme if you are only giving information?
Will Deputy Bruton please cease interrupting?