263 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to draw up a rural development strategy in view of the decline in the farming population in small farm regions. [2961/97]

Under the Strategic Management Initiative "Statement of Strategy" which I launched in July 1996, my Department is committed to the preparation of an action plan for rural development. The Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan established a rural development policy advisory group in December 1995 to advise on the formulation of future policy. The advisory group is expected to present its report in the next two months and, following examination in my Department, proposals for a strategy for the development of rural areas in the medium to longterm will be finalised.