Joe Walsh
Question:195 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to restore in full the butter voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11882/97]
Written Answers. - Butter Voucher Scheme.
This measure is fully funded by the European Union without any national Exchequer contribution. Ireland is the only member state operating the scheme. Since 1988, EU legislation requires the Commission to review the scheme every two years. On foot of a review in late 1996, the European Commission, in its report to the Council, proposed that the scheme should be extended for a further two years at an unchanged aid level. The Commission also recommended that the monthly entitlement be halved to reflect the general decline in per capita butter consumption in Ireland which has fallen from 2 lbs per month to under 1 lb.
The Agriculture Council agreed in December to continue the scheme for a further two years on the basis of the Commission proposal.