Vol. 481 No. 1
21 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to implement policies aimed at keeping people in rural areas and to ensure that people living in rural heartlands benefit from the current economic prosperity; if he will consider in this context implementing rural renewal incentives to help stop the drift from the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/97]
There is a wide range of policies already being implemented by my Department, including direct payment programmes for farmers, aids for on-farm investment, structural improvement and environmental protection as well as the Leader programme, to support rural communities. It is also envisaged that rural development will form an important element of Agenda 2000 and the EU Commission has undertaken to present detailed proposals. I will seek to ensure a coherent and integrated rural development package forms a central part of any reform of the CAP. In addition, I will submit proposals shortly, for consideration by Government, on the scope of a White Paper on Rural Development which will address the issues raised by the Deputy.
On reform of the system of direct payments, is the Minister of State satisfied that more than 70 per cent of such payments are received by fewer than 30 per cent of farmers? Does he consider that to be equitable?
I do not know from where the Deputy got that figure. I will check it for the Deputy.
I thought the Minister of State was in control on that side of the House.
(Dublin West): Central to keeping people in rural areas and stopping the drift from the land is a reasonable income and security for small farmers and their families. Is the Minister aware that the sharp cutbacks in EU premia on ewes in the past two years due to the increased price of French lamb is causing enormous difficulties for small farmers in disadvantaged mountain areas? Is he aware also that the relatively low lambing rate of sheep breeds suitable for the mountains and their lower weights mean that the higher prices are not benefiting small farmers in mountainous areas? In west Kerry, for example, the income from family farms has decreased in the past two years by as much as £1,500 per annum. That is a crippling blow and does not provide any incentive for young people to remain working on the land. Will the Minister agree that in this context so-called economic prosperity is benefiting only the big ranchers while having the opposite effect on small farmers? Furthermore, is he aware the most powerful farmer organisations with which he is usually in contact represent the interests of ranchers and do not highlight the difficulties of small farmers in disadvantaged areas? Will he carry out an urgent investigation into this matter as a contribution towards assisting people to stay on the land and have a reasonable future in rural Ireland?
I thank the Deputy for his interest in rural Ireland and I am glad he has not forgotten it. I agree that the system for mountain lamb is unfair. The decision by the EU on lamb prices affects the premia paid to mountain farmers in particular. Because their lambs are lighter, mountain farmers do not get the same support as other farmers despite the fact that they are in most need of that support. I agree with the Deputy about that anomaly. On farmer representation, that is a matter for the able members of the farming community on the opposite side of the House who are proactive in that area. As part of the national anti-poverty programme, it is the Government's policy to publish a White Paper on Rural Development, one of the three main recommendations from the national anti-poverty conference. Real poverty is being experienced in rural areas and that problem needs to be addressed.
(Dublin West): I note the Minster's recognition of the problem but given the need to keep people on the land will he carry out an investigation into this very concrete difficulty for small farmers in disadvantaged areas and put forward short-term proposals to address the fall in incomes which he acknowledged has taken place?
This is an EU regulated decision and we are seeking a review of the anomaly it creates for mountain farmers.
It is not enough for the Minister to say he recognises the anomaly and that it is a European problem. Deputy Higgins and I are asking the Minister if he will bring forward a proposal to address the serious anomaly created for people who can ill afford these losses.
We have proposed to the Commission that it should change this decision and recognise the anomaly created for smaller and much less wealthy mountain farmers.
Will the Minister agree that the drift from rural areas and, in particular, the land has accelerated since the abolition of the land commission? Smaller and younger farmers cannot get additional allotments or acreage to increase the size of their farms. Is it envisaged to set up a land agency to help people in such circumstances and thereby stem the flight of 5,000 people from the land every year?
There are no proposals to re-establish the land commission in any shape or form. Deputy Penrose will remember that the last farm was bought in the late 1970s-early 1980s when an acre cost £3,000. People were willing to pay the price but unfortunately they cannot pay it back today.
