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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

98 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the priorities of his Department for the coming years in the context of the Estimates for 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the huge interest in these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27933/03]

The 2004 spending proposals for my Department, which were published recently, provide for gross and net allocations €1.39 billion and €935.1 million respectively. The gross estimate includes a sum of approximately €108 million for forestry, responsibility for which will transfer to my Department on 1 January 2004.

The gross allocation for 2004 is €62.2 million, 5% higher than the corresponding 2003 figure. However, when account is taken of the reduced expenditure requirements related to BSE in 2004 arising from the improved disease situation, the gross expenditure provision for my Department for 2004 is approximately 8% higher than in 2003.

The increased Exchequer funding, when considered alongside the expenditure of a further €1.6 billion on EU funded agricultural measures, including direct payments to farmers, will bring total expenditure by my Department to approximately €3 billion in 2004.

My priorities for the coming years are to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable farming as well as a consumer oriented food industry, to prevent the spread of disease and to facilitate the transition to the single payment system arising from the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. These priorities are reflected in particular in the 37% increase in the Exchequer provision for the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, the 31% increase in the provision for forestry and the 70% increase in the allocation for on-farm investments, notably farm waste management. The increased allocation for REPS of €260 million, up €70 million on 2003, provides for a 28% increase in average payments and will also facilitate a significant increase in the number of participants in the scheme in 2004. This reflects the Government's commitment to further enhancing this important scheme, as outlined in the partnership agreement Sustaining Progress. Funding for on-farm investment schemes and forestry amounts to €52.8 million, up €21.5 million on 2003, and €108 million, up €25.3 million on 2003, respectively.
The lower provisions for general disease control and market supports reflect positive developments in the BSE situation and improved market conditions for agricultural products and do not represent any diminution in my Department's efforts to support developments in these areas. The improvements in these areas are welcome and are important for the future development of the industry. I am satisfied that the 2004 allocation provides appropriate resources for the schemes and programmes operated by my Department to enable it to continue to provide a high quality service to the agriculture, forestry and food sectors in 2004.
Question No. 99 withdrawn.
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