Vol. 476 No. 2
259 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to smaller milk producers by the withdrawal of the dairy hygiene grant scheme; and if he will restore this necessary measure to improve food quality. [6904/97]
The scheme for the upgrading of dairying facilities was launched in the autumn of 1994 and was open to all dairy farmers who had a milk quota of less than 45,000 gallons. Due to the level of applications received, and in the light of the level of funds available, it was necessary to suspend the scheme for new applications with effect from 4 October 1996. As indicated in Partnership 2000 it is the Government's intention to reintroduce the scheme on a priority basis if additional funds become available at the mid-term review of structural funds.
