Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I offer my best wishes and congratulations to Deputy Kerrane on her appointment as Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture and food. I wish her well and look forward to working with her. If she requires any information my Department can provide, she should feel free to ask. I wish her well. I know she will enjoy the role and is well-suited to it. It was also good to work with Deputy Carthy and I wish him well in his new role.

A vibrant sheep sector is an important aspect of our farming economy. It is important for ensuring a balanced regional economy. Many of our parishes and farming families depend on it. Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more difficult market conditions in 2023 than in previous years. However, as we know market prices are a commercial matter that we cannot directly impact or influence. Thankfully in the past week in particular, we have seen a good lift in the price of hoggets of about 60 cent in some cases which has been welcome. We have seen hoggets crossing €7 per kg and spring lamb going over the €8 per kg mark, which is welcome and much needed by farmers.

As Minister, I have worked hard and continue to do so to try to ensure the sector is supported through the various schemes we have in place. The new Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, programme which started this year particularly benefits the sheep sector. For example the front-loading and convergence and especially the decision to be able to accommodate all applicants to the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, is particularly beneficial to the sheep sector. The €12 per ewe sheep improvement scheme has also been heavily subscribed. From the point of view of sheep farmers, with regard to costs, a €1,000 maximum per farm family was introduced to address the increased fodder costs. I continue to monitor the market closely and as with any sector, I am always open to ideas and proposals around the Brexit adjustment reserve. It is difficult to meet the technical specifications to qualify, but I am always open to proposals.

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