asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if it will be necessary for Ireland to introduce as a member of the EEC a premium of £133 per acre for the grubbing up of fruit trees; and, if so, when it will come into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fruit Tree Grubbing Out.
54.
The position is that the closing date for grant applications under the EEC "grubbing-out" scheme for fruit trees was 1st March, 1971, and that work under the scheme should be completed by 31st March, 1973.
Can the Minister state if he expects that this scheme will be continued?
I have no intimation of the possibility of its being continued but I know that the scheme has been unsatisfactorily implemented in the past.
Can the Minister say if there is still a surplus in the products which it was intended to reduce by means of this scheme?
If there is a surplus?
If there still is a surplus which it was intended to eliminate by the introduction of the scheme?
This was the purpose of the introduction of the scheme in the first place and also to eliminate older fruit trees and unsatisfactory methods of production of older varieties. It has not been satisfactory and it has not, as far as I know, been worked by the six member states in the existing scheme.
Would the Minister say if it indicates that farmers are not interested in growing fruit?
That is about the size of it, I would say.
I would not blame them.