Has any member any particular preference for any of the other reports on the agenda that they would like to see dealt with? Our report on the disadvantaged areas scheme is a substantial document and I do not think we could deal with it between now and 6 p.m.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
Chairman
From reading it it seems to be a restatement of the facts rather than recommendations by the Joint Committee. We should adopt it as read.
It is a recital of the facts. We do not really have any recommendations.
Chairman
Paragraphs 1 to 7, inclusive, agreed to. Paragraph 8 on page 6 contains what is really the essence of the report:
The Joint Committee finally would like to draw attention to improvements which should be made in the Community scheme to take account of conditions peculiar to Ireland.
(a) The restrictions on the allowance for dairy cows should be removed. In many instances the best hope the sort of farmer with which the scheme is concerned, would have of improving his income significantly would be through milk production.
Is that acceptable?
(b) The conversion rate for conversion of sheep to livestock units should be increased from 0.15 to 0.20 to take account of the fact that Irish sheep are generally larger and heavier than continental varieties.
I think there is general agreement on that.
(c) Provision should be made for aids for food and vegetable production similar to the provision in the Directive for acreage payments in designated mountain areas.
Again there is agreement on that.
(d) The improved incentives which are being given to development farmers in the disadvantaged areas for investment in fixed assets and land improvement should be extended to transitional farmers.
The sub-committee was unanimous about that also.
(e) Horses and ponies should qualify as livestock units for the puprose of headage payments with commercial bloodstock stud farms excluded.
We had in mind in particular the Connemara pony.
What about the donkey?
Chairman
Donkeys could be included. I do not think we would visualise extending it to bloodstock.
The Joint Committee appreciates that these improvements can be effected only when the Directive is considered for possible amendment at Community level. It trusts that when the opportunity presents itself the amendments it has suggested will be pressed.
Paragraph 8 amended by the deletion in sub-paragraph (e) of "and ponies" and the substitution of ", ponies and donkeys".
Paragraph 8, as amended, agreed to.
Chairman
Is the draft report agreed?
Draft report, as amended, agreed to.
Ordered: To report accordingly.