Vol. 418 No. 7
29 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the plans, if any, he has for the development of the agriculture and food industry for the next five years with particular reference to, (a) growth in the industry, (b) employment and (c) the impact of Common Agricultural Policy reform and GATT on (a) and (b); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As promised under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress I have convened a group consisting of representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the farm and agricultural organisations who were signatories to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to draw up a report which would form the basis for a development programme for the agriculture and food sector. The group commenced work some months ago.
The Deputy will be aware that the Culliton report also recommended that a development plan for the food industry should be drawn up by an expert group. To avoid the duplication of having two groups working on the same issue, and following consultation with the Task Force appointed to oversee the implementation of the Culliton report, I am setting up a single group, which would include farmers, manufacturers, retailers and the state sector to produce a plan for the food industry.
Once these reports are available to me, I will adopt a strategy to guide the development of the agricultural and food sectors in future years taking into account all the changing circumstances with which will arise, including the outcome of the Common Agricultural Policy reform and GATT negotiations and the availability of EC funds for development purposes.
