Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the plans by the EU to reduce compensation made available to farmers for disease outbreaks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32759/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the apparent EU proposal to reduce compensation to farmers who have been affected by animal diseases such as BSE, tuberculosis and brucellosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32879/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 175 together.

Earlier this year, the Commission produced a draft revision of the Community Guidelines for State Aid in the Agriculture sector for the period 2007 to 2013. The Guidelines will be agreed later in the year within the competence of the Commission following a consultation process with Member States and will then be binding on Member States.

Among the changes proposed by the Commission are the introduction of a threshold of 30% production loss to trigger compensation in respect of losses caused by animal disease and a reduction of aid to 75% (80% in less favoured areas).

I have written to and spoken personally to the Commissioner to express my opposition to these proposals. A number of oral and written submissions to this effect have also been made to the Commission, at senior official level. I have also raised the matter at the Agriculture Council and have the support of a large number of Member States.

I understand that a revised draft of the guidelines is in preparation by the Commission at present. Upon adoption by the College, it will be discussed with Member States at a meeting scheduled for late October. I will continue to oppose these proposals and seek the support of my EU Ministerial colleagues in persuading the Commission to withdraw its proposals.