Committee Reports::Report No. 23 - Agricultural Prices for 1976-1977::25 February, 1976::Report


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Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1976 > Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities > Report No. 23 - Agricultural Prices for 1976-1977

REPORT

1. Introduction

The Joint Committee considered the Commission’s proposals for the fixing of prices for agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy (R/3166/75) at its meeting today. These proposals only became available in English in the middle of January last and were examined by the Agricultural Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee on 12th February, 1976. It is understood that decisions on the proposals may possibly be taken by the Council of Ministers next week.

A memorandum which appears in the Appendix to this Report summarises (a) the Commission’s proposals, (b) the views of COPA with which the Irish Farmers’ Association has expressed agreement and (c) information obtained by the Agricultural Sub-Committee.

2. Suggested Debates

In view of the importance of this proposal for the economy of Ireland, the Joint Committee considers that time should be made available in both Houses for discussions of the proposals before decisions are taken on them by the Council of Ministers. The Joint Committee hopes further that the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries would be able to meet the Joint Committee at an early date to hear the views of its members and to discuss with them the implications of the various proposals for this country.

The Joint Committee believes it is essential that for future years a procedure be established whereby the Joint Committee would have an opportunity of discussing the package in detail with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and that an opportunity would be given for a debate in both Houses before decisions are taken by the Council.

3. Disadvantaged Areas Scheme

In its Tenth Report (Prl. 4599) the Joint Committee expressed disappointment at the decision to fix the level of the Community contribution for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme at 25 per cent and urged that every effort be made to have this increased. It is pleased, therefore, to note that the Commission is now proposing that the FEOGA contribution be increased to 40 per cent and it hopes that this proposal will be accepted.

(Signed) CHARLES J. HAUGHEY,

Chairman of the Joint Committee.

25th February, 1976.