Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the horticultural producer groups are a fundamental part of the horticultural production supply chain; the action he has taken to support producers' groups and prevent closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36279/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department consistently supports the Horticulture sector with its grant aid schemes. The EU Scheme of Aid for Producer Organisations (POs) in the Fruit and Vegetables Sector encourages producers to organise themselves into Producer Organisations (PO) in order to strengthen their position in the market. More flexible terms and conditions were introduced for the PO Scheme from 2008 under Regulations (EC) Nos. 1234/2007 and 1580/2007. My Department has secured nearly €35M in EU Aid for Irish POs for the operational programmes which they implemented between 1999 and 2008. These programmes allow fruit and vegetable growers to implement annually approved business plans to improve the quality and commercial value of their produce and promote the use of environmentally aware cultivation practices.