Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Directive on Milk Production.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

105 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the EC Council Directive for Milk Product Holdings Ref. 85/397/EC and 89/363/EC for the installation of necessary facilities to comply with these directives, will be grant aided; and, if so, when details of this grant-aid will be available.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

There are no provisions for grant aid in the Directives to which the Deputy refers. A new Directive setting out Community wide standards for the hygienic production and marketing of milk and replacing Directive 85/397/EEC was agreed by the Council earlier this year and will enter in to force in 1994. I am seeking Community funding to assist farmers with investment needed to meet the standards laid down in the new Directive 92/46/EEC.

An amount of 5 million ECU to finance measures, mainly on-farm investment, aimed at improving milk quality was secured by Ireland in the 1991-92 farm price package. I have secured a similar amount this year for the same purpose.