asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he envisages introducing a system of grants to assist farmers in the provision of fattening accommodation for pigs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Fattening Accommodation Provision.
17.
Under EC Regulation 797/85, on which the farm improvement programme is based, grant aid for the provision of pig fattening accommodation is available to eligible farmers up to the limits laid down by the EC.
The Pig Production Group, representative of the Department, IDA, AFT and ACOT, which I set up in October 1987, has recommended that pigmeat processing could not expand without the backing of a well structured production sector. Accordingly the manufacturing sector is being actively encouraged to take a lead role in ensuring that producers are given the incentive to expand. Factories have been informed that grant aid for development will be conditional on pre-set pig targets being reached and have been asked to submit proposals, on an individual factory basis, detailing realistic plans to assist producers to expand. The present position is that these proposals are awaited and when received will be critically examined by the group.
Is the Minister aware that the planning authorities are now prescribing that individual pig producers must allow for storage of effluent, etc., for a minimum period of six months with the result that individual pig producers are now being foisted, for the average unit, with an additional cost of £5,000 to £6,000 and that this is causing ongoing and considerable hardship?
I can only say that I do not have responsibility for planning permission or the planning laws. I hope that everything which will be done in this direction will be in line with what we have already spoken about in the House. It is essential that any aspect of agricultural production would adhere directly to the need to protect the environment because if we do not the cost to us will be enormous. It is important that we get that message across at every opportunity. I have no responsibility for the planning laws but I hope that such planning requirements as are there will be adhered to.
Does the Minister accept that there is a severe cash shortage problem for individual pig producers and that there is a need for his Department to have immediate consultations with the banks' standing committee with a view to the banks having a more benign attitude towards pig producers, particularly in relation to the need for the AAA rate of interest to apply to pig producers?
I can assure the Deputy that I agree with him and that I have been in consultation with the committee. Let me also assure the Deputy that I have put the onus on the industry, as I mentioned in my reply, who will benefit from this. They will get considerable grants for their new processing facilities so that they can be competitive with the best in the world. I have put the onus on them to contribute to the support of the pig producers, including, if necessary, the provision of adequate slurry storage which is an essential requirement.
Will the Minister ask the officials who are administering this scheme to get in contact with the Department of the Environment and through them with the planning authorities so that they can discuss the different interpretations in various counties regarding the requirements and conditions laid down and the length of time taken by them to deal with fairly simple applications? There needs to be some co-ordination between them so that the same standards apply in every area.
Of course I will but I want to make it very clear that no request from any farm unit which is submitted to me as Minister for Agriculture and Food which involves anything less than the most exacting standards for pollution control will be received with any degree of sympathy. If I did I would undermine the very basis of our agricultural industry. I hope the House will agree with me that if we have to impose stringent controls we should start doing so now, otherwise we will pay the price.
Can the Minister inform the House what assistance he is prepared to give to pig producers so that they can increase numbers? Is the Minister aware of the huge imports of Dutch bacon which has grown from none 18 months ago to 1,800 tonnes today?
We are having an extension of this question now.
The intention of the Pig Production Group, which I set up, is to increase the maximum pig output from the present £2.1 million per annum to about £3 million per annum by 1991-92. It is critical that we achieve that target. They will get as much support as I can direct towards them. However, under European Community regulations there is a definite limit on what a government are allowed to do in this area — a limit of a 25 per cent grant in less favoured areas and a 15 per cent grant in other areas. We have to enlist the support of the banks, the industry, etc., in this area because the European Community will not allow any further assistance, even if we had the money.
I want to deal with Deputy Ted Nealon's question, Question No. 18.