asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the decline over the past number of years in agriculture and agri-based exports as a proportion of total gross merchandise exports; and the steps he proposes to take to improve the situation.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Exports.
17.
The decline in the proportion of total exports which is represented by the agriculture based products reflects the development of the industrial side of the national economy rather than any fall in agricultural based exports as such. In fact, the value of agricultural based exports rose from £1,177 million in 1981 to £1,629 million in 1984, an increase of 38.4 per cent while in volume terms they rose by approximately 12.5 per cent in the same period. In addition, receipts from the FEOGA guarantee section, which are largely dependent on the level of agricultural exports, increased from £305 million in 1981 to £648 million in 1984. The Government policy of encouraging and assisting the expansion of agricultural production as well as achieving a higher level of added value in the food processing industry will further stimulate total receipts from agricultural exports.