Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the recent FAPRI analysis stating that sheep production here will decline by 14% between 2006 to 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27075/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the recent FAPRI analysis concerning projected sheep production between now and 2016. The Deputy will be aware that likely production and market trends were taken into account in the Sheep Strategy Report of 2006 and its subsequent Implementation Report that I received last April. The Implementation Report sets out a number of measures to improve the performance of the sector and to ensure that we remain competitive on export markets. Whereas most of the recommendations fall to the industry itself to implement, my Department is providing assistance in a number of areas including sheep breeding, processing facilities and quality assurance. Teagasc is also providing support to the sector through technology evaluation and transfer.

Sheep farmers are also eligible for various schemes operated by my Department. A new supplementary measure aimed at sheep farmers has been introduced under REPS 4. A budget of €28 million per annum has been allocated to fund the new measure at an overall cost of €170 million up to 2013. The sheep sector is also the beneficiary of on-going work to promote Irish lamb on home and export markets, which is undertaken by Bord Bia.

The implementation of the Sheep Strategy Report and the other measures outlined above will provide a sound basis for the future development of the sector.