Vol. 492 No. 7
148 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the control of farmyard pollution and the dairy hygiene schemes, which are currently suspended, will be reintroduced; if not, whether his Department will introduce new schemes to deal with farmyard pollution and dairy hygiene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/98]
170 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to introduce a new dairy hygiene scheme; if so, if it will be funded by the Exchequer; and when there will be an announcement in this regard. [15103/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 170 together.
There are currently no funds available in the Community Support Framework to reopen the control of farm pollution or the dairy hygiene schemes. However, in the event that savings arise as a result of decommitments on projects in the Community Support Framework I will be seeking additional resources for these schemes. Considerable additional funding has already been provided for these measures which has been used to meet existing commitments.
I regard on-farm investment as a high priority, and I am continuing to pursue the question of introducing far more focused schemes for farm pollution and dairy hygiene.
