12 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on his proposals to encourage farmers to diversify from traditional beef and cereal products into areas such as horticulture, urban and farm forestry and agri-tourism projects.
32 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of any programmes that are being planned for supporting the conversion of farms to organic production of vegetables, tillage and animal husbandry which conform to the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers inspection criteria.
69 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the policy proposals he has to stabilise the rural population.
I propose to take Question Nos. 12, 32 and 69 together.
My Department's underlying aim is to promote the agriculture and food industry and to further rural development. All its activities, including participation in decisions relating to the Common Agricultural Policy and its operations of EC schemes, are ultimately related to that aim and hence the measures designed,inter alia, in stabilishing the rural population.
More specifically, the operational programme for rural development introduced earlier this year, which complements all the other operational programmes supported by the Structural Funds, contains a number of measures aimed at farm diversification. These measures include animal production, horticulture, agri-tourism, forestry and services in rural areas. The programme also contains measures in support of small and community enterprise, rural infrastructure, research and development and marketing in the food industry and training.
Deputies will also be aware that under Leader, the EC initiative on rural development, 17 groups have been selected for funding of their business plans, involving investment of £70 million over the next two years.
The establishment of the new national structure for promoting rural development early in 1992 will be a further significant step in stabilising the rural population.
In addition a pilot scheme of grant aid for investments in organic farming enterprises was introduced with the objective of providing aid towards the cost of facilities for the commercial production, storage and marketing of organic produce. The response to these various measures has been very encouraging.
Would the Minister of State accept that the answer he has given here is utterly inconsistent with what is happening on the ground in reference to the proposals by Teagasc to close every research station in the country? Would he also not accept that with the speed with which technology is changing and with the need to assimilate and apply new technologies to our agricultural industry, there is a need for a strong network of reaserch and development stations throughout the country? Would the Minister not further accept that if the flight from the land is to be halted there must be diversification into horticulture, urban and rural forestry and agri-tourism and that by getting rid of the research stations carrying out the development work to allow farmers to move into this area, there will not be any chance for these kinds of projects? How on earth is what the Minister says consistent?
Promotion of the diversification of the rural economy has been assigned to Teagasc. This has been achieved through the deployment of the equivalent of 26 full-time staff in activities such as farm visits, group meetings, seminars, demonstrations, press articles and local radio features. A sum of £2.6 million is available for this part of the sub-programme. The areas which have been targeted under the various programmes which I have outlined are areas which have been identified with real and possible potential for development. We see Teagasc as having a pivotal role in the development of those areas and we are confident that they will fulfil that role.
I thank the Minister for his full reply, but would he not agree that the future of agriculture here will be based on organic agriculture generally and that there is a tremendous market in Europe and in Ireland for organic products? Will the Minister say what steps he is taking to get more Structural Funds, perhaps taken from Common Agricultural Policy, put into this area to accelerate this switch towards organic farming and growing?
The Deputy will be aware that we have a special organic unit in the Department of Agriculture and Food. The organic unit was set up in the Department in 1990 with a budget of £350,000 to develop all aspects of organic farming. The funds were used mainly to help UCD to establish an organic farming module into its degree course, Teagasc, to establish an R and D programme at Johnstown Castle and a training demonstration unit at Kildalton College, CBF, to carry out a market survey at home and abroad on organic meat, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association to develop their organisational structures, SFADCo to develop organic farming in its area and to produce a video in conjunction with Teagasc on the concepts underlying organic farming produce, and the production of an information leaflet. In 1991 the unit again had a budget of £350,000 which was used to continue support for the efforts of UCD, SFADCo and Teagasc. One hundred and fifty thousand pounds from this year's allocation was used to fund a pilot scheme for organic production. There were 75 applicants, of whom 37 were offered grant assistance. Thirty two applicants completed their investments attracting grants of £84,000 which are now being paid. Under the other grants, schemes such as commercial horticulture, organic products, provided they comply with the conditions and the various regulations relating to the scheme, are eligible to apply. On that basis it cannot be said that either the Minister or the Department are not doing their part for organic farming in this country.
Is the Minister seriously telling the House and the country that he has adequately provided for Teagasc in their budget and that 26 people are sufficient to implement alternative enterprises here?
The personnel in the various areas of advisory work for Teagasc will have a role to play in the various development programmes. For example, with regard to two grant schemes in my area for potato storage and ancillary equipment and for commercial horticulture, it is reasonable to assume that the advisers who are operating in those specific areas will have an input and will make a significant contribution to the advancement of those two grant schemes.
Has the Minister any plans to encourage farmers to diversify into winter milk production, which can be a viable process, to maintain more people on the land?
Winter production is very much controlled by the milk quota system and the arrangement producers have with their dairies, having regard to the market supply requirement they have.
As a number of Deputies are offering, perhaps they will be brief.
Which of the Ministers of State will have responsibility for the Leader programme? Will the details for applicants be available from the section when they are formulated?
The responsibility for the Leader programme will rest with the Minister, Deputy Woods.
Will the Minister tell us when all the details will be available for applicants, in the 17 areas which are now being considered for the Leader programme?
Deputy Austin Deasy.
When will all the details be available for those who are looking for participation in the Leader programme?
The ones who are approved?
We are having questions now from sitting positions. This is not good enough.
The Minister can give me a letter.
Will the Leader programme be ongoing? Will we have a new Leader programme in 1992 and in subsequent years?
This is a pilot scheme. From discussions I have had with the Commission my understanding is that they are very anxious to put a lot of money into that area and that they would see the money increasing if the pilot scheme goes well. We will certainly look for increased funds in that area. While it is a pilot scheme, the indications are that it is one that will receive considerable additional funding as we go forward.
It will be ongoing?
That is what I hope.
Is the Minister aware that in the Kinsealy Teagasc research station a one-year introductory course to horticulture is being run for 20 new people each year and that if the Kinsealy station is closed new people entering horticulture or people who are trying to diversify, will not have any opportunity to train? What proposals has the Minister to replace that facility if it is shut down? In view of the proposals by Teagasc to shut down Kinsealy horticultural station, what work will be left for the Minister of State to do? Does the Minister have indications that the Taoiseach is going to move him into the area of women's affairs or into some other priority area, because he will no longer be Minister for horticulture?
The Deputy, who represents one of the most important horticulture constituencies in the country, will fully realise the progress that is being made in that area since we established the interim board in March 1987 and the statutory board 12 or 18 months ago.
Question No. 13.
We have co-ordination of the different interests involved. We fully appreciate that Teagasc have played a significant role in that and we would be delighted if the board of Teagasc decided to leave the Kinsealy station open.
Well done. The Minister will make sure to tell them that.
