This article is from page 34 of the 2007-10-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
AS MINISTER for Finance, Brian Cowen, cleared the way for a miserly budget this week with talk of ‘belt- tightening’, his cabinet colleague Agriculture Minister, Mary Cough- lan, was busy painting a rosy picture for Irish farmers come December 5.
Speaking following the publication of the 2008 Pre-Budget Outlook by the Tanaiste last week, Coughlan welcomed the proposed provision of €1.722 billion for the Department of Agriculture.
In addition, €110 million is being provided for the fisheries which, for technical reasons, 1s included in the Pre-Budget Outlook under the Vote for the Department of Communica-
tions, Marine and Natural Resourc- oe
“The Pre-Budget Outlook repre- sents a new approach to the annual Estimates procedure. The Outlook is drawn up on the basis of Exist- ing Level of Service and on Budget Day, 5th December, the Tanaiste will present any budgetary additions to- gether with his revenue proposals for 2008,” she said.
“It makes a great deal of sense to deal with expenditure and taxation in a single exercise. The allocation of €1.722 billion in the Pre-Budget Outlook was the practical expression of the Government’s commitment to the development of a modern, ef- ficient and sustainable agri-food in- dustry.
“The Minister said that the fund- ing reflected the Government’s and my own objectives for the sector as outlined in the various policy state- ments and agreements, including the National Development Plan, To- wards 2016 and the Rural Develop- ment Programme, 2007-2013.”
Apart from this voted expenditure, the Department of Agriculture will also disburse almost €1.4billion in EU direct payments and market sup- ports in 2008.
A number of areas have already been earmarked for substantial fund- ing including €17Imillion for food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and more than €1billion for a range of measures under the Rural Development Programme and
for capital investment in the dairy, beef, sheepmeat and farm sectors.
Of this billion euro some €375mil- lion has been allocated for the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, €257million for Income Support in Disadvantaged Areas, €68million for Early Retirement and Installa- tion Aid Schemes, €12I] million for investment in the Forestry Sector and Bio-Energy and €183million for schemes of on-farm investment, 1n- cluding Farm Waste Management.
Along with this some €27million is provided to support the efforts of An Bord Bia to promote Irish pro- duce in overseas markets which, the Minister said, is more vital than ever in the face of increasing competition from non EU producers.