I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 21, 31, 44, 46, 57 and 73 together.
I regret that the major farming organisations were, inadvertently, not among those formally consulted by my Department in the preparation of the national report for UNCED. Environmentally sound agricultural policies are, of course, essential for sustainable development, and this was reflected by the involvement of the Department of Agriculture and Food in an interdepartmental committee established to assist in compiling the report.
I will be seeking to promote a wide representation from Irish representative bodies at the Global Forum for non-governmental organisations which will be held in parallel with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992. I intend to contact the farming organisations, among others, for this purpose.