P. J. Sheehan
Question:35 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the EC butter voucher scheme was abandoned; and the cost of the scheme during the last year of its existence. [9516/00]
Written Answers. - Social Butter Scheme.
The social butter scheme, which was fully fundable by the EU, was one of a number of measures used to contribute to balance in the EU dairy market. Ireland was the only member state which operated it. The aid level was progressively reduced from year to year and a decision was taken by the EU Agriculture Council in December 1998 to allow the scheme to operate for one final year. The new basic Council regulation governing the EU dairy regime as agreed under agenda 2000 did not provide for this scheme beyond January 2000. There is, therefore, no legal basis for continuing the scheme beyond that date. The cost of the scheme during 1998, the last full year for which information is available, was £2.3 million.