Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 7

Written Answers. - Fruit and Vegetable Market.

Brian Cowen

Question:

295 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the actions, if any, he will be taking at the EU Council of Ministers to ensure the reform of common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables benefits Irish growers, in view of the fact that Commissioner Fischler is focusing his reform on producers organisations which represents just 20 per cent of domestically grown produce in Ireland. [16033/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates):

I will be making every effort during negotiations to ensure that the most favourable regime possible for Irish growers will be agreed by the EU Council of Ministers.

The present proposals on the reform of the regime envisage a reduction in the level of intervention purchases which, to date, have been of limited use for Irish producers. A new feature is the provision of assistance towards operating funds for producer organisations.

It is also proposed to make funding available to existing producer organisations to adapt to the new circumstances and for new organisations, which meet the new criteria, to be formed. In the negotiations I will endeavour to ensure that the benefits of the reform will extend beyond those regions of the Union where producer organisations are already well developed.

Successive Governments have encouraged producers to form producer organisations and this remains my policy.