asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there are any plans for making up the shortfall in income for CBF, arising from a reduction of 50 per cent in real terms in its allocation for 1988; the impact of such a shortfall on the marketing of Irish meat products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CBF Funding.
4.
The very difficult budgetary situation has necessitated widespread cuts in public expenditure and these have had to apply to the grant to CBF which in recent years has represented about a third of the body's income. Its income for 1988 is estimated at £2.5 million compared with about £3 million in 1987. It is a matter for the board of CBF to assess the consequences of the reduction and to consider whether its income from nonExchequer sources should be increased.
Can the Minister tell us what he thinks the consequences might be?
I do not think there need be anything but positive consequences in view of the primary interest of the industry itself. The Government are making it very clear that the role of the State in terms of public expenditure is one that no sector of the community should exclusively rely on, particularly those engaged in enterprise. I have no doubt from my consultations with CBF and with the industry that this is fully understood. As I have indicated, the Government have and will have a strong supportive role in terms of finance and public support.
Can the Minister assure the House that there will be no harmful consequences as a result?
I am perfectly satisfied there should not be.
Will the Minister accept that this decision supports the view that there is an anti-farmer outlook on the part of the Government, when this decision to phase out total support of CBF is contrasted with the continuing support of An Córas Tráchtála? Why have CBF been singled out? I am not arguing for the dropping of support for CTC. I am just making a comparison. Why is the support being phased out, particularly in the light of the rhetoric about the great need for marketing and promotion of our food products?
It is certainly stretching the imagination too far to say that there is an anti-farmer outlook in this Government when there is a 19 per cent increase over last year in that sector. I reject any suggestion that that represents an anti-farmer outlook.
There is no need to imagine it, at all.
(Interruptions.)
I leave that to you.
Nineteen per cent after two bad years.
Will the Minister deal with the question or will he continue to ignore it?
I have called Deputy Mac Giolla.
In view of the Minister's reply to this and the previous question, could he confirm that the farm grant area is the only area exempt from cuts in public expenditure?
No, there is no area exempt from cuts in public expenditure. I want to say very clearly and definitely to all sectors, including those who might be less sympathetic to farmers than others, that in all my discussions with farming organisations and publicly here in the House I have indicated that no area, particularly the one for which I am responsible, will be exempt from public expenditure adjustments. I see it as particularly important, as Minister for Agriculture and Food, that I should be consistent. When the benefits apply to the farmers I am not going to make special pleading on their behalf.