asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will arrange to have some of the FEOGA grant money allocated for the development of bog roads and drains to enable supplies of turf to be produced both for local use and for sale to outside areas of the country, in view of the fact that FEOGA money is used for the purpose of fuel production in France and Germany.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bog Roads and Drains.
34.
Following a previous question on this subject consultation has taken place with the EEC Commission as to the eligibility of bog roads for aid under the FEOGA grants scheme. The basic objective of the scheme is the improvement of agricultural structures and the Commission have now indicated that since bog is primarily used as a source of energy it does not meet this objective. Accordingly, bog roads are not regarded by the Commission as eligible for aid under the scheme.
The fact that the farmers of Germany and France benefited from this scheme for the production of wood for fuel purposes should encourage the Minister to bring the Commission's attention to the fact that turf is a vital part of the agricultural policy of this country. Why should turf not be included since it is the only fuel source we have? Would the Minister bring this to the Commission's attention again so that the same line would be adopted in our regard as in regard to Germany and France in regard to fuel subsidies?
I am afraid there is some confusion in regard to the French and the Germans. I have a note here in regard to fuel production in France and Germany. The Deputy raised this matter before. As regard the production of fuel in France and Germany grants have been approved for forestry roads in those countries for the purpose of improving agricultural structures.
The EEC circular carried a notation that these grants were available purely for fuel for the agricultural sector.
I can only give the Deputy the note I have here. Because the Deputy raised the matter before I got it examined specially.