Written answers

Thursday, 4 November 2010

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Industry

2:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount paid to producers under the producer organisation scheme for the years 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40650/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In the face of ever-greater concentration of demand, the grouping of supply of fruit and vegetables through Producer Organisations is more than ever an economic necessity in order to strengthen the position of producers in the market.

Accordingly, in its 2007 reform of the common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables, the European Union made further provision for financial assistance to producers grouping, on a voluntary basis, to form recognised Producer Organisations. Recognised POs implement approved operational programmes which aim to improve the quality and efficiency of operations to achieve the following objectives: improving the competitiveness and market orientation of the sector so as to contribute to achieving sustainable production that is competitive both on the EU and external markets; reducing fluctuations in producers' incomes resulting from crises on the market; increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the Community; and continuing the efforts made by the sector to maintain and protect the environment.

Payments are made to the recognised Producer Organisation undertaking the approved Operational Programme, rather than to the individual producer members of the PO. Payments are made annually in arrears. In 2009, €4,968,268 was paid to the three recognised POs in respect of their 2008 operational programmes. The sum of €5,785,391 was paid this year to the three POs in respect of the 2009 calendar year.

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