Vol. 553 No. 4
52 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his contingency plans to deal with the projected drop in farm incomes due to the ongoing bad weather; his plans for an income stabilisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14062/02]
The recent protracted wet spell of weather has caused and continues to cause prob lems for farmers throughout the country and across farming systems in general.
Income stabilisation is being discussed at present in the EU Council of Ministers and in particular the question of agricultural insurance as a risk management tool is being considered. This could address income variability problems caused by bad weather and other natural disasters. However, these discussions are currently at an early stage and, therefore, it is too soon to say what the likely result will be.
It is also the case that direct payments provide substantial income support for individual farmers.
