asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether, in the context of the EC farm price talks, he has sought approval for measures to encourage the development of the beef cow herd and the reclassification of the disadvantaged areas.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Farm Price Talks.
34.
Measures to encourage the development of the beef cow herd and the restructuring of the disadvantaged areas form part of a wider national approach being adopted by the Government in relation to implementing proposals for reform of the Structural Funds which are currently being discussed in the Community following the decisions of the February European Council.
In my reply of 21 April 1988, I outlined our approach to the restructuring of the disadvantaged areas. The question of higher rates of Community reimbursement is, of course, central to the Irish approach on this matter. The Commission have recently indicated that revision of those rates will now fall to be reviewed in the context of reform of the Structural Funds and that question will not therefore, arise directly in the context of the current price negotiations. It is, however, one I intend to pursue vigorously at every opportunity.
As the Deputy is aware, my primary objective in the price negotiations is to secure a green £ adjustment. The EC Commission's prices package also includes a proposal to modify the buyingin price for intervention beef and signals that further changes will be made to the intervention arrangements when the present transitional systems ends in December 1988. I intend, in these contexts, to explore every possibility for securing any concessions that would benefit Irish beef producers.
Will the Minister accept that because of the delay suffered by us through the failure to complete the price talks he has an ideal opportunity to raise these two fundamental issues in the final negotiations? Will the Minister accept that there is a crisis in regard to our beef herd — there seems to be a coalition of views between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in regard to this — that there is a 20-point plan to deal with the problem — I produced that plan — and that in default of any proposal from his Department he has an opportunity to push that plan? Will the Minister accept in regard to the disadvantaged areas that as the European Council made the decision in regard to them the long delayed reclassification should be pushed? In my view the final round of negotiations on prices is an ideal opportunity for the Minister to make his case.
Price talks are talks about prices and if we introduce other elements at the wrong time we will be undermining our negotiating role. If I am looking for a green £ devaluation and I ask for scope on disadvantaged areas I will be undermining my main case. I will be adhering to the main case throughout the negotiations. If at some stage I judge that some concessions might be made I will press that case. However, I do not think we should confuse the issue when negotiating in regard to prices by introducing other details. If we do we will be weakening our case. We are conscious of the need to enhance our national herd and I am confident that the actions we are taking, and propose, will achieve our aim. I must point out that the one thing the Commission are opposed to, and those who attend Council meetings will have recognised this, is an increase in the beef herd in the Community. They are totally opposed to that; they want to reduce the herd and if I want to achieve what we are agreed on I cannot present my case as being an instrument for increasing the national herd here. I must find another way to present my case.
The Minister should call it by some other name.