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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 2

Written Answers - EU Directives.

Joe Walsh

Ceist:

308 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number and percentage of dairy farms which do not meet EU standards; and the steps, if any, he will take to ensure quality in the industry in view of the closure of the dairy hygiene scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9185/97]

For the purposes of Directive 92/46/EEC as implemented by S.I. No. 9 of 1996, all Irish dairy farms were initially deemed to be registered and thus approved to supply milk. A programme of farm inspections to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards is ongoing and producers are being informed of the improvements required. The scheme of grant aid to assist farmers with investment necessary to achieve the required structural standards on their farms had to be closed when the funding was exhausted. Should further funds become available following the mid-term review of co-financed structural programmes, I will consider re-introducing a similar scheme.

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