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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 7

Written Answers. - Crop Damage Fund.

Ivan Yates

Question:

43 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will extend the crop damage fund to the limited number of farmers who grew other crops such as cereals and sugar beet and whose viability and survival is affected; and the steps, if any, he will take to establish such a hardship fund.

Adverse weather conditions must be regarded as a normal risk inherent in tillage production. Cereals yields in general were lower than normal in 1993 with losses of varying degrees being experienced. However, these losses were substantially offset by higher than expected prices and by area aid payments amounting to almost £46 million.

The need for assistance for cereal producers has been further assessed by my Department. I am satisfied that the overall scale of the problem is not sufficient to warrant financial assistance even if funding were available. While there were some localised losses incurred in sugar beet the position does not warrant compensation because overall returns were satisfactory.

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