asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, within the conditions of the recent EC western package, farmers in the farm improvement programme will qualify for 70 per cent grant in respect of farm buildings and land reclamation; and the date from which it is proposed to introduce the scheme.
Written Answers. - Eligibility for Farm Grants.
102.
The implementation of the amended western package which I negotiated at the Council of Ministers on 9 March necessitates the approval of a revised programme by the Commission of the European Communities. Because of the range of measures included in the revised package the detailed preparation requires comprehensive examination. This is being undertaken as a matter of urgency and the grant rates for the various schemes will be announced at the appropriate time. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to state precisely when negotiations with the Commission will conclude but it is being treated as a matter of urgency.