asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the formation of producer groups in the context of the EEC; the terms of reference and the regulations governing such groups; and what effect such groups will have on the Dairy Disposal Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Producer Groups.
44.
It is a general aim of the Community to promote and assist the formation of producer groups and associations of such groups and to encourage them to participate in the marketing of their members' products. Specific provision for producer groups has already been made in the Community regulations on fruit and vegetables and on fish, and the proposals on uniform arrangements for such groups for all products subject to a common organisation of the market have been submitted by the commission to the Council of Minister. I do not expect that the establishment of producer groups here will affect the position of the Dairy Disposal Company, whose interests as I have already made clear, are available for transfer to co-operative ownership subject to appropriate conditions.
Which make it impossible.
That is ridiculous and injurious also.
Why has it taken 44 years for the Dairy Disposal Company to dispose of their properties?
The Dairy Disposal Company will pass the management and ownership of the industry to a co-operative of farmers at appropriate rates at any time that these rates are offered.
And at an appropriate pace of 44 years.