Michael Creed
Question:70 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position with regard to extension and reclassification of disadvantaged areas.
Written Answers - Disadvantaged Areas Reclassification.
The current position with regard to appeals from areas seeking inclusion in the disadvantaged areas is that the Disadvantaged Areas Appeals Panel has completed its analysis of data from the survey of appeal areas. The results of the analysis have now to be verified on the computer in my Department and maps of the areas being proposed have to be prepared. When this is completed the panel will present its formal recommendations to me for submission to the EC Commission. The Commission will in turn examine the submission and make the final decision on the areas to be proposed for ratification by the Council of Ministers.
The appeals panel is now available to examine appeals from areas seeking reclassification and will commence work on this part of its assignment as soon as policy issues regarding the criteria and methodology to be used have been agreed between the farming organisations and my Department.