This article is from page 59 of the 2007-12-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 59 JPG
MINISTER for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, has welcomed the provi- sion of more than €1.9 billion for her department in 2008 in last weeks budget. In addition to voted money, the department will spend approxi- mately €1.4 billion in EU funding, primarily in the form of EU direct payments.
“This 1s an increase in voted ex- penditure of six per cent over the equivalent gross estimate for 2007.” “When the carryover of capital sav- ings from 2007 to 2008 is taken into account, and allowing for the adjustments to include fisheries ex-
penditure, it involves the net addi- tion of €91 million to the funding announced when the pre-budget out- look was published in October,’ she Sr BKOE
“The key priorities for this addi- tional funding are the Farm Waste Management Scheme, the Suckler Welfare Scheme, afforestation and the White Fish Vessel Decommis- sioning Scheme.”
Coughlan said that this Budget, in circumstances where economic con- ditions were tighter than they had been for a number of years, marked a strong commitment by the Govern- ment to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sectors.
“The ongoing Government invest- ment in Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will enable Irish operators to capitalise on the surging demand for and increasing price of food global- ly,’ she continued.
“In the current climate, it 1s more important than ever to ensure that such investment is focussed on ena- bling operators to improve competi- tiveness and innovation.
“This investment and the additions announced on budget day focus on measures which I consider to be crit- ical to the development of a sustain- able agriculture, fisheries and food sectors into the future.”
A particular emphasis has been
placed on the continuing need for productive capital investment, to enable Irish operators to gear up to meet the competitive demands of an increasingly globalised market place.
With this in mind, the Munister said that more than €238 million had been provided in subhead H for capital investment in development of agriculture and food.
“I am satisfied that the estimate as framed would support the strategic priorities outlined in the National De- velopment Plan and help to prepare the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sectors for the challenges ahead.”