Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 3

Written Answers. - EC Farm Price Proposals.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

53 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Government intend to look for a derogation for Ireland from the severity of the proposals made by the EC Commissioner on Agriculture, Mr. MacSharry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

64 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he expects that a conclusion to the negotiations on the current year's price package will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 64 together.

The EC Commission's proposals on farm prices and related measures for 1991-92 were formally presented to the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) on 4 March. They were discussed at both Councils during March and were again considered by Agriculture Ministers this week. Agreement will not be reached in advance of the next Council meeting which is scheduled for 21-22 May, not least because the opinion of the European Parliament — a prerequisite for formal adoption of any prices package — is unlikely to be available before then.

As always, my objective will be to secure the best possible outcome on behalf of Irish farmers and our agriculture and food industry in general. In that context I will continue to press for substantive amendment of the proposals as tabled by the Commission, particularly as regards those sectors such as beef, milk, cereals, sugar and sheepmeat which are of greatest importance to Ireland.

In the Government's view it would not be appropriate for individual member states to seek exemption from the provisions of the Community's annual price fixing, although we shall, of course, seek to influence these in a direction which best suits our national interest.