asked the Minister for Agriculture in view of the appalling structural problems of western farming, highlighted once again by surveys the findings of which were disclosed recently at the international symposium on hill land in Galway, and given that the system of low productivity is being perpetuated by the rules governing disadvantaged area payments and ewe premium, if he agrees that a review of the workings of these schemes is an urgent necessity; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Schemes.
797.
The headage payments schemes in disadvantaged areas and the ewe premium scheme are reviewed annually. The discussions at the symposium on hill land which took place recently in Galway and other relevant matters will be taken into account in the course of the next review. The scope for altering the schemes to increase productivity is, however, limited by EC regulations.
798.
asked the Minister for Agriculture in view of the expert opinion aired recently at the symposium on hill land, that the reclamation of a small percentage of marginal hill land or inbye land for use at critical stages of the year could enable the farmer to get better use of the rest of the mountain or hill, and given the poor uptake of the grants available under the hill land and mountain pasture improvement scheme as some of the conditions do not suit western hill farmers, if he will consider an overhaul of the operation of the scheme.
Interest in the scheme of mountain and hill pasture improvement under the western package has been less than expected. In next year's review of the programme in conjunction with the EC consideration will be given to changes necessary to render the scheme more effective.