Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the main elements of the recent partnership agreement with the farming organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40332/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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One of the key features of the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016 has been the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from Exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding due to our economic success as a country, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which support the development of the sector.

National Exchequer funding for the farm schemes under the Rural Development Programme will be €4.7 billion for the period 2007 to 2013. This is an increase of 135% from the €2 billion in exchequer funds provided for the same schemes in the current round 2000-2006. The total funding for the agricultural measures is €6.8bn, including €2.1bn from EU and modulation.

The new draft rural development programme reflects the commitments contained in the partnership agreement and will cover both agricultural and non-agricultural measures. In line with the EU rural development framework, the measures in the programme will address competitiveness and sustainability. The main elements are as follows:

A 17% increase in payments under the Rural Environmental Scheme (REPS).

An 8% increase in Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payments.

The average forestry premium will rise by 15%.

The Installation Aid rate will increase by 56%, bringing it up to €15,000.

A new Early Retirement Scheme will be put in place with a maximum payment rate of €15,000.

A total of €250m is allocated for an Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds.

There is capital investment funding of €100 million to support the dairy processing sector, and a €50m package for the beef and sheepmeat processing sector has also been announced.

These are just a few of the measures contained in the agriculture chapter of the partnership agreement, which is a very comprehensive document. It includes actions on all the main farming sectors, as well as on the development of the food industry. It also includes important measures on animal health, including a 50% reduction in disease levies, and includes commitments to continuing high levels of service to farmers by the Department. The strong focus on the future in the document is further underlined in the sections on "renewable energy", "enhancing the environment" and "measures to encourage structural change".