Ivan Yates
Question:128 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when it is expected that the Food Review Group will have completed its work; and if the report will be published.
Written Answers. - Food Review Group.
I have asked the expert group on the food industry to complete their work by the end of the year. It is my intention that their report would be published, following consideration of it by the Government.
Ivan Yates
Question:129 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the details of the Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals in relation to the introduction of a forage subsidy for maize-silage; and the extent to which this would benefit this country relative to the other 11 EC member states.
Under the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy, the arrangements for the arable sector include provisions for payment of area compensation for maize grown for silage.
For the purpose of establishing the rate of compensation, member states are authorised to apply a yield for maize silage equivalent to the yield for other feed cereals. In that case, compensation is limited to the national area under maize silage in the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 i.e. the base area.
If the total area for which compensation is claimed exceeds the base area then the aidable area is reduced proportionately for each producer.
Maize silage is not a traditional crop in Ireland, and since production during the base years was minimal, this country is not expected to benefit from its inclusion in the new support regime.
The EC Commission has not yet published the regional yield plans submitted by member states and in the circumstances it is not possible to make a definitive assessment of the relative benefits for Ireland as compared to other member states. However, it is obvious that, in general, support for maize silage will largely benefit traditional production regions of the community.