FG proposes single state lab to centralise farming-related work

A SINGLE state laboratory to centralise the farming-related work currently conducted by myriad other offices is being proposed by Fine Gael.

The party’s spokesperson on agriculture and food Michael Creed TD proposed the move during a Dáil debate on budget cuts in agriculture.

He said this laboratory work is currently being done by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Regional Fisheries Boards, Local Authorities and the Environment Protection Agency.

Mr Creed has also proposed a single food monitoring agency which would overhaul the maze of inspection and regulation currently operated by five different sets of monitors. He accused the Government of mindlessly slashing vital schemes instead of seeking savings in other areas and streamlining agencies under its control.

Mr Creed said the public sector pay freeze proposed by Fine Gael to meet the challenges of the current economic climate would save €12 million in the Department of Agriculture.

A Fine Gael motion before the Dáil challenged the Government to restore the young farmers’ installation aid and early retirement schemes and reverse cutbacks to the disadvantaged areas scheme.

Sinn Féin spokesperson Martin Ferris TD said the closure of the installation aid scheme is a severe and in some cases fatal blow to hopes and prospects of some 500 young people planning to start farming.

A significant number of these will be forced to emigrate.

Labour spokesperson Sean Sherlock TD said culling the schemes will only serve to drive more farmers off the land and was not the way to go.

Mr Smith responding to the debate, said, given the resources available to him, he had to make choices and identify priorities for 2009.

“Given some of the reaction to the budget measures I announced, one would be easily excused for forgetting that my department will be spending €3.26 billion in support of Irish agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry in 2009,” he said.

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme president Catherine Buckley said the non-availability of schemes such as installation aid, early retirement and farm investment could force young people into drawing social welfare payments.