Vol. 418 No. 7
31 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the Commission's proposals which could result in a cut of some 11 per cent in prices to Irish grain growers; if he will qualify in monetary terms this loss; if he will inform Dáil Éireann of his intention to oppose these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The combined effect of price reductions and the co-responsibility arrangements proposed by the Commission in its proposals for prices and related measured for 1992-93 would reduce producer returns for cereals by 6 per cent in 1992-93 by comparison with 1991-92. Of that 3 per cent relates to a reduction in the intervention price for cereals which is applied automatically when Community production exceeds a certain level. The remaining 3 per cent relates to a proposal to fix the supplementary co-responsibility levy at 3 per cent.
The price reduction is a matter for the EC Commission. I will be seeking significant reductions in the proposed supplementary co-responsibility levy of 3 per cent and the basic levy of 5 per cent.
