Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Crop Damage.

Ivan Yates

Question:

163 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the specific terms of reference whereby Teagasc are assessing on-farm visits and assessments of producers who suffered from weather-related losses in 1997; if he will publish this criteria; if eligible cases for consideration will be the subject of a scheme of administration with individual application forms open to participants; if not, whether it is only through Teagasc that such cases will be processed; if he will ensure that there is sufficient flexibility in the scheme so that cereal, soft-fruit and vegetable growers will all benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17196/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Teagasc was asked to undertake an on-farm survey to establish the extent of the weather damage to crops. The purpose of the survey was to assess the quantity of unharvestable crops on farms where income was derived mainly from cereals production. The survey was not confined however to cereals damage and an assessment was also made of the damage to other crops such as soft-fruit and vegetables.

The inspections were carried out on the basis of requests from individual growers and when all the reports have been received a decision will be taken on what assistance, if any, will be paid to the producers in question and under what conditions.