asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the present position at EC level in respect of discussions on possible Green £ devaluation; if he will quantify the benefits for agriculture in this country in the event of an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Green £ Devaluation.
46.
The position is that the Commission has made no proposals to devalue the Irish Green £ in this year's price proposals. In the Council discussions to date, I have been pressing strongly for such devaluations, which are, in my view, fully justified. I would hope that the discussions can be concluded at the next Council meeting beginning 13 June. Current Irish MCAs are as follows:
|
Milk and milk products: |
-3.5 per cent |
|
Beef: |
-2.0 per cent |
|
Pigmeat: |
-2.1 per cent |
|
Cereals/Sugar: |
-3.6 per cent |
Dismantlement of these MCAs through green rate devaluations would be worth about £45 million to the agricultural sector in a full year.