Vol. 405 No. 5
10 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures he has taken to ensure that Irish dairy farmers will not suffer undue hardship under the new EC regulation on milk quality; and if he has made a submission to the EC Commission for grant aid for the purchase of bulk milk tanks.
As part of the 1992 Single Market programme, the EC Commission proposes to harmonise standards for health, hygiene etc., both in relation to liquid milk for human consumption and to milk for the manufacture of dairy products. However, these are only draft proposal which are being technically examined at present, prior to their submission to the Council of Ministers.
My approach to the negotiations on these measures will be to ensure that whatever standards are agreed are reasonable having regard to the need to guarantee top quality production. In line with the Government's commitment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, a working group has recently been set up comprising of representatives of producers and processors to examine the implications of the proposals and to work on a submission which could be lodged for Community aid. The Department have already approached the EC Commission for Community funds to be made available to assist Irish producers adapt to the standards required.
May I ask the Minister if the Government have put in place the requirements of EC Council Directive 397/85 for milk production holdings and EC Commission Directive 89/362 on the general conditions of hygiene in milk production units? If they have not done this, will they have to after 1992? If they have to do this, would the Minister not agree that these regulations will put thousands of dairy farmers out of production? Their farmyards and dairies are antiquated at present despite their inclusion in development programmes. Does the——
Brevity, please, Deputy Deenihan.
I want to ask a final question.
The Deputy has made his point.
If these regulations are put in place will the Government apply to Brussels for extra grant aid to ensure that farmers will be able to upgrade the facilities in their farmyards?
As I have already said in my reply, these are only draft regulations which are being worked on at present. The working group have already met to examine these proposals so as to ensure that the final outcome will be reasonable for all farmers concerned.
My information is that there were Directives. In view of the fact that many farmers will have to buy refrigerated tanks and that this grant aid was suspended in 1986, may I ask the Minister if the Government will make a special application to Brussels to have this grant restored? Much hardship is being caused to many small farmers who have to use refrigeration tanks to improve the quality of their milk.
The working group will look at all aspects of this matter. As I have said, they are preparing a submission to Brussels for Community aid from co-responsibility funds to help farmers in this regard.
Question No. 11.
May I——
I have called Deputy Sherlock's Question No. 11.
I want to ask a very important question. When will this submission be made?
Deputy Deenihan, please resume your seat.
I appreciate your patience and tolerance, a Cheann Comhairle but I want to point out that we have probably covered about 40 questions, as many of them were taken together. I just wanted to let you know that we are making considerable progress at Question Time.
Do not be buttering up the Ceann Comhairle; get on with it.
