Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 7

Written Answers. - Grain Producers.

Colm M. Hilliard

Ceist:

211 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry her views on base areas for each grain producer and the removal of the eligibility clause; and if there is a register of grain producers under the area aid scheme or a register of suitable eligible land. [4254/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

My objective is to maximise efficient production of cereals so that the market price for grain here is not unduly influenced by the price of imported cereals. I regard the eligible land rule as a major difficulty in that regard and my immediate priority is to have a modification which will at least allow it to be applied more flexibly. I am actively pursuing this matter with the EU Commission.

I am also seeking a number of changes to the existing provisions on individual base areas, so that if it is necessary to operate such a system we can do so in a practicable and equitable manner. The changes involved, which wouldinter alia provide for the setting up of a national reserve in order to cater for hardship cases and new entrants, would require the agreement of the Council of Agriculture Ministers. I will also need to be satisfied that any revised individual base area rules can be implemented in a way that will ensure that the objective of maximising efficient production can be realised. With regard to a register of grain producers the position is that my Department has records of farmers who applied for arable aid in 1993 and 1994.

There is no register of eligible land at present. It will not be possible to set up such a register until a national field identification system is in place.