Vol. 564 No. 3
61 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will reinstate the standard 35% grant on vouched expenses for fruit tree replacement in order that new disease resistant varieties can replace disease-prone chemical-intensive varieties. [9214/03]
A specific scheme for fruit tree replacement was never in operation. Grant aid of €1.4 million under the national development plan is being provided this year for the development of the commercial horticulture sector. This follows on the grant aid of €3.582 million, which was paid for developments carried out over the first two years of the scheme in 2001-02. The 2003 scheme was launched on 6 February 2003, and will cover the period up to 31 December 2003. The closing date was 28 March 2003. Aid under this scheme is provided for capital investment in specialised plant and equipment in commercial horticulture. The terms of the scheme do not provide for grant aid for the replacement of fruit trees.
