Vol. 359 No. 10
asked the Minister for Agriculture in the light of evidence from the European Commission that member states are not making full use of the range of opportunities available under the directive on mountain and hill farming, if he considers more efforts could be made to ensure a greater concentration of resources in favour of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
39.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the present position in relation to the reclassification case submitted by the North Connacht Farmers' Co-operative and Donegal Creameries.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
In March last the Council of Ministers adopted a Regulation (797/85) on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures, which replaces the former directives on the modernisation of farms and on mountain and hill farming. I am at present preparing measures to implement the Regulation and in this connedtion consideration is being given as to how best to utilise the assistance available for less-favoured areas.
During the negotiations leading up to the adoption by the Council of the new Regulation efforts were made to have the relevant criteria modified so that the most severely disadvantaged areas in the west of Ireland would be put on a par with mountain areas in other parts of the Community. The Commission, however, was not prepared to make a proposal to that effect.
