John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important issue for discussion on the Adjournment. The difficulty in respect of this matter relates to the fact that the livelihoods of upland farmers in the Owenduff-Nephin Beg range in north and west Mayo are being decimated as a result of the discriminatory way in which their share of modulation money from Europe is calculated. Some €18 million in funding is available to 30,000 Irish sheep farmers and the payments in respect thereof are calculated on the basis of ewe numbers rather than on hectares. In other words, it is done on the basis of 2.5 ewes per hectare.

Problems arise because Nephin Beg is a special protection area, SPA. This means that all sheep farmers operating there have been obliged to drastically reduce their stock numbers as a result of the five-year pilot programme aimed at protecting the range from the effects of overgrazing. Most of these farmers had no choice but to reduce their stock numbers by 30% to 50%. This is a serious impediment because they are obliged to remove their animals from the mountains for prolonged periods. This, in turn, has an effect on the type of farming in which they can engage on their low-lying lands. On one hand, these farmers are suffering because they have been obliged to destock, while, on the other, their payments are being drastically reduced because their grants are calculated on ewe numbers. The simple solution to this problem would be to calculate their payments on the basis of the number of hectares they farm rather than on that of stock numbers or to introduce a special calculation method in respect of SPAs.

The problem to which I refer is confined to the Nephin Beg region and to Connemara in County Galway. As a result, the introduction of a special calculation method would not trigger a series of claims from farmers in other areas. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, is aware of the situation that obtains in Connemara and is sympathetic to the plight of the farmers there.

It is vital that immediate action be taken in order to resolve this matter, particularly in view of the fact that another issue is on the horizon for the farmers of Nephin Beg. I refer to the fact that their entitlement to payment under the new REP scheme will be drastically reduced. Under REPS 4, farmers received €242 per hectare. If the new proposals are accepted, the payment will be reduced to €75 per hectare. This is unfair and unjust and represents another attack on the sheep farmers who are trying to eke out a living in the upland regions.

There is no cost involved to the Exchequer in respect of this matter because what is at issue is modulation money from Europe. This matter relates to fairness and justice. We often discuss fairness and equity in this House. People do not mind taking the pain if they are treated fairly. A group of sheep farmers in the Nephin Beg range have not been treated fairly. Under the new arrangements coming down the track, that will continue to be the case.

I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, to ensure that action is taken. Someone must shout stop.

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