asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will propose to the Commission of the European Communities the inclusion of the Sliabh Félim areas of Tipperary and Limerick in the EEC disadvantaged areas scheme.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
149.
In order that an area may be included in the EEC list of disadvantaged areas it must be shown to meet simultaneously the following criteria contained in Council Directive 75/268/EEC on mountain and hill farming and farming in certain less favoured areas.
(a) the land must be infertile, unsuitable for cultivation or intensification, with a limited potential which cannot be increased except at excessive cost, and mainly suitable for livestock farming;
(b) because of this low productivity, economic results in the area must be appreciably lower than the average as shown by the main indices characterising the economic situation in agriculture;
(c) the area has a low or dwindling population predominantly dependent on agriculture, and the accelerated decline of which would jeopardise the viability of the area and its continued habitation.
The relevant statistical data have been very closely examined by my Department and detailed discussions have taken place with the local interests involved. It has not, however, proved possible to make a sustainable case based on these criteria for the inclussion of the area in question.