asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied that the relevant boards are getting adequate funding for the marketing of agricultural products.
Written Answers - Marketing of Agricultural Products.
370.
Mr. Leonard
The only board concerned with the marketing of agricultural products which is in receipt of funds from the vote for my Department, is Córas Beostoic agus Feola. I am satisfied that the funds available to that body are adequate.
371.
Mr. Leonard
asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he proposes to take to improve the production, processing and marketing of beef.
My Department operate a comprehensive and attractive range of measures designed to encourage farmers to expand beef production. These include the intervention system and the other EEC price support arrangements, as well as the calf premium and suckler cow schemes, the calved heifer grant and the headage schemes in the disadvantaged areas.
Grants are available from the IDA and the EEC for the setting up and improvement of processing facilities. The IDA grants are aimed in particular at encouraging projects which involve processing into higher value-added products. In addition assistance and advice are given by my Department in the establishment of processing plants.
So far as the marketing of beef is concerned, an annual grant-in-aid is paid from my Department's Vote to Córas Beostoic agus Feola as a supplement to that body's income from levies on livestock disposals, to assist the promotion and development of markets for cattle and beef.