Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 6

Written Answers. - On-Farm Investment.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

57 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the measures, if any, he will be putting in place to encourage and facilitate on-farm investments to improve competitiveness in production and to improve environmental standards; the interim position between the end of existing measures and the phasing in of new schemes under the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4703/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The National Development Plan 2000-2006 and my Department's proposals for the operational programmes to implement the aspects of the plan relating to agriculture provide for a number of on-farm investment measures, all of which are aimed at improving both competitiveness in production and environmental standards.

Funding will be made available over the period of the plan for the provision of a farm waste management measure. It is proposed that aid will be available for investment in livestock housing as well as storage facilities for silage and farm waste. These investments will enable farmers to improve environmental standards and will also contribute towards improved farm practices leading to increased efficiency.

Also, provision is being made to assist in the improvement of dairy hygiene standards. This proposed measure is aimed at protecting the viability of existing dairy farms and securing high milk quality production standards. The grant aid will be available for both the upgrade of existing dairies and milking premises and the development of new facilities.

A new development programme for young farmers is being introduced and this will provide additional aid for young developing farmers who carry out investment under the farm waste management measure and the improvement of dairy hygiene standards measure.

All these measures will require that eligible applicants follow a nutrient management plan which will ensure that they will engage in more sustainable farming practices on their farms.

It is my intention that the existing national schemes will remain in operation until the proposed measures are approved by the European Commission.