asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what long-range forecasts or programmes the EEC has for the future of the community of six and for the future of the community of ten, especially with milk and dairying in mind; and what recommendations he will make to the dairy interests in this country in the light of these programmes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dairying Industry.
13.
The study "Irish Agriculture and Fisheries in the EEC" issued by my Department in April last gives details for the main agricultural commodities of the degree of self-sufficiency in the present community and in a community of ten, as calculated by the European Commission on the basis of production and consumption in recent years. It also outlines projections for 1975 and 1985 in respect of the present community and the four applicant countries, which were published in 1968 by the OECD.
In the light of the information contained in the study, the dairying industry should continue to strive for the maximum degree of efficiency in production, processing and marketing so that it will be able to derive the maximum advantage from our membership of an enlarged community.
Would the Minister not agree that these OECD projections are invalidated by changes in policy by the commission since 1968 in relation to the emphasis to be put on beef as well as milk? Am I correct in saying that these forecasts relate to a community of six members, not ten members, and this further invalidates the forecasts?
I think I could accept that.