asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider giving a grant of 33? per cent for a 12 sow unit to enable the smaller farmer to take part in the expansion of pig production.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Production Grants.
42.
The farm buildings scheme grants for pig breeding and farrowing accommodation which I introduced earlier this year are at the rate of 33? per cent of the approved capital cost in respect of construction and equipment for not less than 20 and not more than 100 sows. I made this change in order to encourage farmers to build up economic-sized units.
Any farmer who wishes to build a smaller unit can qualify for grants under the scheme at the rate of 40p per square foot, and can extend on that basis in stages to a 20-sow unit. When the final stage is completed, the balance between the grants for smaller units and the grant of 33? per cent will then be payable.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be better to have the 33? per cent grant for all units to enable small farmers to engage in this type of enterprise? It is a very big decision for farmers with two and three sows to take. They cannot avail of these grants unless they go for the 20-sow unit. Would the Minister not agree that a 12-sow unit as requested is not unreasonable?
Like the Deputy, I was concerned about the 20-sow unit at the beginning and I looked very hard at it. The farming organisations were anxious to get this size because the feeling was that there was an inclination on the part of producers who are only in it in a small way to get in and get out with every cold breeze that comes. The fact that we have now decided to give them the 33? per cent when they reach 20 in retrospect covers the complaint and it retains the inducement to grow up to a size of 20 sows.
Many of the farmers in the north-west could never reach 20 sows. In the north-west, where there are smaller farms than in the rest of the country, this should be acceded to. The biggest co-operative society in the north-west have requested this change and for that reason the Minister should consider the matter seriously.
Does the Minister not feel that it is the man with the three-sow unit who is deserving of the biggest grant? For such a farmer to reach the figure of 20 is almost impossible. I am interested in pig fattening stations and I can tell the Minister that it is very hard to get many farmers to reach even the figure of 12 sows.
Would the Minister not agree that it has often been levelled at Departments of Agriculture that their agricultural grants are aimed at the bigger farmer and that the decision to give grants—in this case for 20—rather than 12-sow units will not help to dispel that idea?
I brought in this scheme. It was not there before. The 40 pence was all that was there when I first looked at this scheme.
The Minister asked how small is small. We consider that 12 is small but he considers that 20 is small.
I want the Deputies in Opposition to know that I am as concerned about the type of man they are talking about. I thought I had met the problem and I thought it was important to retain the inducement to reach a reasonable size. However, I will have another look at this matter.
Are there any EEC regulations with which the Minister must comply?
It is only a directive.
This figure of 20 is in the EEC but we can overcome it.
Is the Minister aware that in spite of incentives in the form of loans from the North Connacht Farmers' Association there has been a poor response from the small farmers for the 20-sow unit? In view of the fact that Dennys are opening a new factory in Sligo it is important that we should have a supply. Would the Minister consider introducing a special scheme for congested areas like Sligo and allowing a 33? per cent grant for 12-sow units?
It is very hard to know where to stop in this regard.