Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 3

Written Answers. - Lamb Producer Groups.

Michael Lowry

Question:

41 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of the 43 lamb producer groups currently in operation that have registered as co-operative societies; the number that have secured his Department's approval for EC aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

43 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the conditions lamb producer groups have to fulfil in order to qualify for EC aid for overhead and administrative costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Godfrey Timmins

Question:

60 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the conditions lamb producer groups have to fulfil in order to qualify for EC aid for overhead and administrative costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

James Leonard

Question:

61 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has investigated the possibilities for industrial outlets for tillage crops.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

66 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the conditions lamb producer groups have to fulfil in order to qualify for EC aid for overhead and administrative costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Austin Currie

Question:

86 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of the 43 lamb producer groups currently in operation that have registered as co-operative societies; the number that have secured his Department's approval for EC aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

89 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of the 43 lamb producer groups currently in operation that have registered as co-operative societies; the number that have secured his Department's approval for EC aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 43, 60, 66, 86 and 89 together.

The conditions which lamb producer groups have to fulfil in order to qualify for EC aid for formation and operating costs, are published in Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1360/78, (O.J. No. L 166 of 23 June 1978) as last amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 698/93 (O.J. No. L 74 of 23 March 1993), on producer groups and associations thereof, and in Commission Regulations (EEC) No. 220/91 (O.J. No. L 26 of 31 January 1991)

Seven producer groups have applied to the Department for recognition under the Council Regulation. Five have been recognised by the Department as meeting the conditions of the Regulation and so qualify for aid towards their formation and operating costs.

My Department has no information on the number of lamb producer groups that are registered as co-operative societies, except that the seven groups which have applied for recognition under Regulation 1360/78 are so registered.