Vol. 433 No. 1
92 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the extensive promotion being carried out by the EC Education Section on the benefits of olive oil; the action, if any, he intends to take in view of the detrimental effect that this promotion may have on the Irish dairy and beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that the EC Commission has carried out a two-year information campaign to promote Community produced olive oil. This campaign, which ended in March this year, was run in all 12 EC member states. A percentage of consumption aid (i.e. aid paid to bottlers/canners of olive oil) was retained to finance this campaign.
The campaign concentrated on the dissemination of scientific knowledge, P.R. and promotional measures and market studies/research.
I am, of course, conscious of the desirability of promoting the use of milk and dairy products and have encouraged this. Following the abolition, from 1 April 1993, of the EC co-responsibility levy, which has been the basis for funding generic promotion in the dairy sector, I obtained the agreement of the EC Council that member states would have the option of applying a levy at national level to continue such activities. I am confident, however, that the dairy industry will continue on a voluntary basis to finance the promotion and advertising of its products and, if this is the case, I would not have to introduce the compulsory levy.
