Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004
14 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on whether farmers will receive sufficient support to cope with the changes in the agriculture industry introduced by European Commissioner Franz Fischler; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9160/04]
View answerEU agricultural policy changes are decided by the Council of Agriculture Ministers. The most recent change of particular interest to Ireland was made in the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 which was decided by the Council in June 2003 and which provided for full decoupling of direct payments and a range of options for partial decoupling, at the discretion of member states. I decided to apply full decoupling in Ireland on the grounds that full decoupling is in the best interests of Irish farmers and the future development of the agricultural sector. The new regime will provide substantial direct payments to Irish farmers.
Significant measures exist to assist farmers in meeting environmental standards and waste control. Teagasc has a range of advisory programmes and, in particular, the post Fischler advisory programme, in place to assist producers under the new regime.
