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Cereal Sector.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004

Wednesday, 13 October 2004

Questions (34, 35)

John Perry

Question:

35 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether a high percentage of tillage land will be left unused due to the mid-term reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24448/04]

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Brendan Howlin

Question:

38 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has analysed the immediate consequences of decoupling on farmers in terms of its effects on production of crops and land holdings and other effects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24490/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 38 together.

The FAPRI-Ireland Partnership carried out an analysis, at the request of my Department, of the likely impact of CAP reform on Irish agriculture. It concluded that the impact on the cereals sector would not be significant. An analysis by Teagasc of the likely impact of the reform on tillage farms also concluded that the majority of Irish tillage farmers anticipate that the reform will not have a significant effect on their farming operations.

Cereals farmers, having the cushion of the single farm payment decoupled from production, will in future be able to concentrate their efforts on supplying markets, focusing on minimising production costs and maximising their incomes. In this regard, they will continue to be able to avail of the research, training and advisory services provided by Teagasc and to benefit from the services provided by the Department aimed at improving the efficiency, quality and viability of cereal production. These services include seed certification, seed testing, recommended lists of varieties and so forth. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereal producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world.

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