Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 1

Written Answers. - Agricultural Development Programme.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

41 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when he expects the Expert Review Group on land policy, set up under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, to report to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mary Flaherty

Question:

60 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when he expects the Expert Review Group on land policy, set up under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, to report to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

89 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when he expects the Expert Review Group on land policy, set up under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, to report to him; 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, 60 and 89 together.

Under theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, the Government undertook to review all national policies relating to the agriculture and food sector and negotiate with the farm organisations a new Development Programme for the sector. The review would take account of Common Agricultural Policy reform and of the outcome of the GATT negotiations. The new development programme would also take account of the organisations' views on the need to promote structural change in agriculture, in the light of the Government commitment to, inter alia, promote lifetime transfers of land and the early establishment of young trained farmers.

In accordance with the overallProgramme for Economic and Social Progress commitment, an Expert Group on the Food Industry was established. The group reported in April 1992 and the group's recommendations are under consideration by Government. In addition, a group consisting of representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the farm organisations is working on an agricultural development programme. Land policy is being considered within that framework. The group is expected to report to me in the coming months.