asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state the problems in the pigmeat, eggs and poultry sectors of the farm modernisation directives of the EEC of 24th March, 1972, on which multilateral working parties have been set up; and by whom Ireland is represented on the working parties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Farm Directives.
68.
The two working parties are to study the market and production situation in the pigmeat and the eggs and poultry sectors respectively taking into account most recent marketing developments and on the production side industrial and vertical integration aspects as well as considerations relating to the environment and animal disease. The membership of the working parties has not yet been settled but they are to be under the chairmanship of officers of the European Commission and are to consist of competent representatives from both the existing and the acceding member States, including representatives of professional organisations.
Can the Minister tell me if this directive can come into operation before this working party has reported and, also, if the working party is considering this requirement in relation to pigmeat?
Yes, it is specifically designed to go into this particular aspect of the directive. This is the purpose of the working party, to report to the commission on the question of problems in the pigmeat and poultry areas of their activity.
When is the report expected?
Question No. 69.
69.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if areas designated as backward will receive 65 per cent aid from EEC funds for schemes adopted under the EEC directive of 24th March, 1972 on farm modernisation.
The directive in question does not provide for a special rate of refund for backward areas. Consequently the refund from EEC funds under this directive will in all cases be 25 per cent of chargeable expenditure.
Why is this the only one of the three directives passed at the end of March for which the EEC will not give 65 per cent aid in backward areas? Has the Minister made representations that it should, in view of the fact that it is probably the most important of the three directives?
Some confusion may have arisen from the fact that the second directive in the matter of the incentives to older farmers to leave farming — the provision of pensions and matters of that kind — does provide for 65 per cent refund and we have a particular interest in this as well because of the particular age structure of a great many of our smaller farmers but it does not apply to the directive on the farm improvements scheme. Some confusion may have arisen from this.
Why?
The confusion of two separate directives.
70.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has received copies of draft EEC directives in regard to the establishment of producer groups in new commodity areas; if these directives are fully in accord with Irish requirements; and if he has sought or obtained a meeting to discuss them with the EEC.
The proposals in the draft regulation on producer groups by the Council of Ministers as it stands at present are generally acceptable from our point of view but it will be necessary for us to await decisions by the Council of Ministers later this year before deciding whether formal consultation on any particular aspect of the proposals should be sought under the interim consultation procedure applicable to the period up to the date of accession.
Has the Minister had consultations on the specific terms of these draft directives with any farming interests?
Officials of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are in constant touch with the Commission in Brussels on this and all other matters that are of relevance.
What I am asking is, has the Department discussed the specific terms of this draft directive with the farming organisations in Ireland?
Not so far as I am aware.
Does the Minister not consider that it would be helpful?
It would be helpful, yes. I should say on that point that I think the farmer organisations are aware of the fact that if there are any particular matters of this kind on which they would wish to confer with the Department, they are always welcome.
Perhaps the Minister might take the initiative himself.
Yes. It is a matter for choice.