Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will introduce a ewe scheme modelled on the suckler cow welfare linked to quality assurances and market requirements. [30036/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group issued its report in June 2006. This is a comprehensive study of the sheep industry which sets out a Development Plan for the sector contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an Implementation Group comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the relevant state bodies. It was chaired by Mr. John Malone, former Secretary General of my Department, who was also the chairman of the Strategy Group.

The recommendations address issues such as welfare and quality assurance which are dealt with in the report of the Implementation Group presented to me earlier this year. Accordingly I have no plans at present to introduce a ewe scheme similar to the suckler cow scheme.

Sheep farmers are major beneficiaries of various schemes being operated by my Department. Under REPS 4, a new supplementary measure aimed at sheep farmers has been introduced. A budget of €28m a year has been allocated to fund the proposed new supplementary measure at an overall cost of over €170m for the period to 2013.