Disadvantaged Area Headage Payments
Pattison asked how an 11% real-terms reduction in aid would affect agriculture and small farmers. O’Kennedy said 1988 headage payments would remain at 1987 levels and cited a survey showing farm incomes up 19%, which he said indicated small farmers would be better off.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the impact on agriculture, and particularly on small farmers, of a reduction of 11 per cent in real terms of aid to farmers in certain less favoured areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
Eligible applicants for disadvantaged areas headage payments under the 1988 schemes will suffer no cuts in the level of headage grants which remain the same as in 1987. The Deputy will be aware of the recent report from An Foras Talúntais indicating a 19 per cent increase in farm incomes this year: "small farmers" were included in this survey.
Comment on this
In other words, is the Minister saying small farmers will be better off this year as a result of the 11 per cent cutback?