Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

——when the changes come into effect. In addition, the adjustment in the butter fat reference is equivalent to another 2% in milk quota in 2009, and this increase is in addition to a 2% increase already in place for 2008. During the CAP health check, the Minister doggedly pursued the issue of additional funding for farm payments and a change in the provision that will allow him to target specific sectors which are in need of special assistance. This will enable him to support sectors and regions which are experiencing particular pressure. I particularly ask the Minister to put this funding towards the sheep sector in which incomes have been vastly reduced over the last few years. It is almost at the stage of collapse and if some guarantees are not forthcoming in the near future there will be no sheep industry in this country.

The Minister also pressed for the use of unspent funding from the national single farm payment ceiling to fund these measures.

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