Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 1

Written Answers. - Milk Quality Scheme.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

101 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure that grants will be available in the next tranche of Structural Funds for milk refrigeration under the special scheme to improve milk quality.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

It is proposed to include aid towards on-farm investment necessitated by the new EC Milk Hygiene Directive in the plans being drawn up for the use of the next phase of the Structural Funds.

Grant aid from EC milk co-responsibility levy proceeds aimed at improving milk quality and including the installation and updating of on-farm refrigeration equipment is already available and has been for several years. To date approximately £17.5 million has been allocated for this purpose. The scheme currently in operation, which is being run by ICOS on behalf of my Department, provides for grants of up to 50 per cent towards on-farm refrigeration up to a maximum of £1,750 per applicant.