I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 23, 27, 33, 40, 49, 51, 77 and 78 together.
My general objectives in relation to the next round of Structural Funds will be to secure a modern efficient and competitive agriculture and food industry attuned to added value content and to the needs of the market; to capitalise on our green image as a producer of high quality agricultural and food products through the achievement of high standards in terms of the environment, food quality and safety; to secure a vibrant rural society through maintenance of the maximum number of viable farm households and the development of the wider rural economy.
The objectives for the agriculture and food area in the period 1994-1999 have also to be set against the background of the Common Agricultural Policy reform changes and more liberal international trading arrangements which are likely to follow when the GATT Uruguay Round is ultimately concluded.
The importance of securing competitiveness and greater market penetration in an area which is so vital to Ireland's economic growth and employment creation and maintenance is something that cannot be lost sight of in considering how we use the next round of Structural Funds. Towards this end I am seeking very considerable levels of funding in all areas within my Ministerial remit from primary production to maketing as well as in the areas of rural devlopment and forestry.
In relation to the general agriculture area my aim will be to continue the various schemes already in place such as the control of farmyard pollution which has been independently evaluated and recognised as an important instrument in protecting the environment, and the farm inprovement programme which I am proposing to expand to help farmers conform to new EC dairy hygiene and animal welfare regulations.
Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, we are committed to a specific operational programme for the food industry.
As regards rural development, I am looking at a combination of a continued and much expanded Leader initiative alternative farm enterprises such as animal diversification, horticulture, agri-tourism etc., and headage compensatory payments including accommodation for a third category of disadvantage.
As regards forestry, my plans will be to underpin the planning objective of 30,000 hectares per year to the year 2000 and they are also formulated with a view to facilitating the development of a competitive downstream processing and marketing industry.
This is only a broad outline of the various proposals for achieving the objectives I have set out. Programmes in the research, training and advisory areas will be vital inputs in all of the areas I have mentioned and these will have to be given considerable support.
I presume the study referred to is an evaluation study, prepared by the ESRI and still in draft form. This study was commissioned by the Department of Finance to evaluate spending of the Structural Funds in the 1989-1993 period and to make recommendations for the post 1993 period. As this sudy has not been finalised, it would be inappropriate to comment on it in any detail. However, the position as regards headage payments is very clear. The objectives are set out in EC Regulation 268/75 as follows: to maintain a reasonable level of income for farmers; to conserve the countryside from an environmental aspect and to prevent further depopulation in rural areas.
These objectives apply throughout the disadvantaged areas of the Community and have been agreed at the level of Council of Ministers. In my view, and in the view of the EC Council of Ministers, these payments make a very valuable contribution to the maintenance of populations in rural areas and as such will continue to be funded from the guidance side of the FEOGA fund.
As regards the amount of funding, the position is that, in the next round, the overall level of funding for Ireland will be substantially increased. This should ensure that all Departments can expect to secure considerable extra funds over the next six years. I expect that the allocation for my Department will reflect, the relative importance of agriculture, food and the rural economy generally in Irish life. Decisions on the level of funds for individual measures will have to await developments on the global allocation to my Department.
