Vol. 556 No. 5
31 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has given further consideration to the establishment of a commission on farm incomes to undertake an in-depth study of current farm income levels and the way in which they might be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/02]
I have established a steering group, chaired by my Department, on farm household incomes to assess the collection of up-to-date and comprehensive data in that area. The Central Statistics Office, Teagasc and the ESRI are also involved. The EU Commission is preparing a regulation which will replace the living in Ireland survey, which is being undertaken by the CSO and which will provide data on total farm household incomes, with the EU survey on income and living conditions. In the context of the mid-term review proposals I am asking the Commission to carry out an impact analysis on the proposals, especially decoupling. I expect that the impact of these proposals on farm incomes will be taken into account.
