asked the Minister for Agriculture if any analysis has been made of the reason for the classification of farmers as transitional who are not capable of reaching the comparable income under the farm modernisation scheme, and if so, if he will outline the details of the findings.
Written Answers. - Farmers Classification.
339.
The classification of applicants under the farm modernisation scheme is determined in accordance with objective criteria laid down in Directive 72/159/EEC on which the scheme is based. So called "transitional" farmers—the correct designation is "other"—are those applicants whose farming circumstances are such that they cannot undertake development plans capable of achieving the comparable income at the end of the stipulated six-year period—eight years in the Disadvantaged Areas.
The main reasons why many farms cannot generate the comparable income at the end of this period include size, quality of holding, choice of farm enterprise and family circumstances.
These farmers still quality, of course, for grant-aid for basic investment under the scheme and, through such basic investment, may eventually move into the "development" category through a process of re-assessment.