Vol. 438 No. 7
46 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the expert review group of land policy development, which was referred to by one of the Ministers of State at his Department on 11 June 1992, has reported to him; and if so, the conclusion they have reached.
Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the Government undertook to review all national policies relating to the agriculture and food sector and negotiate with the organisations a new Development Programme for the sector. In furtherance of this commitment, a working group, consisting of representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and of the farm organisations was established. This Working Group produced a draft report in December 1993, which included a number of suggestions in relation to land policy. In particular, it suggested measures to increase structural change, to be achieved through the operation of the new farmer retirement scheme and changes in the capital acquisitions taxation code and in stamp duty. A number of these suggestions have been accepted by Government in the context of the new Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
