Vol. 512 No. 5
51 Mr. Moloney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the eligibility criteria for on-farm investment grants will be broadened to include a greater proportion of medium sized farmers who need to make farm improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/99]
My Department has no plans to broaden the eligibility conditions of the current national scheme for the control of farm pollution. The scheme, introduced in June of this year, is targeted at farmers operating small to medium sized enterprises. These are deemed most in need of financial assistance in regard to their investment. I am satisfied with the level of uptake under this scheme to date.
Also, a national scheme for the improvement in dairy hygiene standards was introduced in May of this year. Again, this scheme is geared to small to medium sized milk producing enterprises. The level of applicants has been less than anticipated and this issue is being reviewed in the context of drawing up the eligibility conditions for a new scheme under the national development plan.
As provided for in the national development plan, my Department is currently drawing up terms and conditions for the on-farm investment measures which will operate in the period 2000-06. These include measures for the management of farm wastes and improvement of dairy hygiene standards. An amount of £147 million will be provided over the period of the plan for the scheme for the management of farm wastes to grant aid farmers for the provision of farm waste storage, winter housing for cattle and sheep, and fodder storage.
In relation to the proposed scheme for the Improvement of dairy hygiene standards, a sum of £28 million will be provided over the period of the national development plan. Eligibility conditions for both schemes are under active consideration by my Department in consultation with the farming organisations. These measures when finalised will be submitted to the European Commission for approval. Given the overall funding resource, it will be necessary to focus these schemes on farmers who most require assistance to enable them to carry out essential investments on their farms.
