Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2006
209 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide grant aid to support handling, drying and storage facilities for grain farmers to facilitate farm to farm trading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32756/06]
View answerUnder the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Department operated the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of On-Farm Grain Storage for two rounds of the scheme in 2001 and 2002. The aim of the scheme was to improve the quality and safety of grain and to relieve pressure on commercial intake points at harvest time by developing on-farm storage and handling facilities.
The Department is currently examining whether a similar scheme should be introduced under the new 2007-13 Rural Development Plan. Any such scheme would be subject to compliance with State Aid Guidelines which are being finalised in the EU Commission at present.
