Vol. 397 No. 3
19 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the EC extensification programme will be brought into force in Ireland; and if he intends to introduce a subsidy for conversion to alternative methods of agriculture as part of this programme.
48 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is intended to introduce a scheme to provide financial grants for certain farmers to encourage them to let land lie fallow; if it is desirable that there should be financial incentives for allowing land to lie fallow; if he has considered alternatives, such as providing incentives to transfer to other crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 45 together.
Amendments to the basic EC Structures Regulation (797/85) provided for a package of measures to curb surplus production, namely, set aside of arable land, extensification and conversion of production. Member states are obliged to draw up schemes to introduce these measures.
The Irish scheme for the set aside of arable land was launched on 9 December 1988. It provides for the payment of an annual premium to farmers who agree to set aside at least 20 per cent of their land for a period of at least five years. Land which is set aside may be used for nonagricultural purposes, afforestation, non-intensive livestock grazing or let lie fallow. A farmer who chooses the non-intensive grazing option may be paid half the full premium.
Schemes to implement the EC extensification requirements are in preparation and will be introduced later this year. These schemes will involve the payment of annual premiums to participating farmers. The use of alternative systems of farming as a means of achieving extensification is under consideration.
The implementation of the third measure, conversion of production, must await finalisation by the Council of Ministers of the list of products to which conversion is to be made.
Would the Minister agree that it is absolutely essential that we now start a campaign to convert farming from chemical farming to environmentally friendly organic farming? Would he further agree that it is essential that Government subsidies are introduced to help farmers because it will not be possible for them to switch immediately from chemical to organic farming? Would he agree that some schemes of subsidy is necessary in this area?
The Deputy will be aware and this is a measure of the Government's concern in this area — that £450,000 was put aside in the budget for the promotion and development of organic farming. I understand the Organic Farmers' Association have greatly welcomed this. I understand also that my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Séamus Kirk, made an announcement recently of specific grants from that money to deal with the development of organic farming. I want to assure the Deputy that environmentally friendly farming will be encouraged and promoted and we are continuing the drive against pollution which has been very successful in the last number of years.
Would the Minister agree that rather than spending our money dealing with the problem of pollution that has arisen——
I did not say that.
——we would be far better off dealing with the problem at source by devoting further funds to organic farming?
I would like to assure the Deputy that we are not spending our money on pollution; we are spending some of the money we negotiated with the European Community to guarantee against pollution, and I presume the Deputy would certainly want to support that. It has been very successful, and the level of fish kills in our rivers, as a consequence of that specific action under what is known generally as the western package, has been reduced dramatically. If the Deputy suggests he is against that, I would be rather surprised to say the least.
Did the Minister say he was taking Question No. 38?
I said Nos. 19 and 48.
On the question of incentives for allowing land to lie fallow, what alternatives is the Minister considering in this regard? The previous Minister, when replying to a question, mentioned the exploitation of the profits of value added and so on. Is that included in the whole process of incentives for the change-over in agricultural production and marketing?
The whole range of policy review is geared to what my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for food, mentioned promoting and increasing added value and processing, including the other matters to which I have referred. That is a major priority of Government.
Is the £450,000 the Minister mentioned to promote organic farming specifically for grant aiding new entrants into organic farming? Will it subsidise their income vis-à-vis the use of chemicals?
I will be reviewing that matter in consultation with the Organic Farmers' Association with a view to planning a comprehensive policy. It has not been decided that all that money will be specifically used as grant aid. The Deputy will appreciate that a whole range of policy review has to be considered, and that is being done with a view to seeing how the money can best be spent.
When will a decision be made on that?
I could not say but perhaps the Deputy might take up the matter personally with the Minister.
