Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her proposals for the future development of the sheep sector; and the outcome of the Council of Agricultural Ministers consideration of this matter at the EU Council meeting on 17 March, 2008. [12047/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group and the subsequent Implementation Group set the blueprint for the sector's future development. The sheep sector is an important part of the overall agri-food sector and its future depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. Most of the Strategy Group's recommendations fall to be implemented by the industry itself but my Department and the state agencies under my aegis are also playing an active role in relevant areas. Sheep farmers are major beneficiaries of various schemes being operated by my Department. Under REPS 4, a new mixed grazing measure specifically targeted at sheep farmers has been introduced and developments on this measure will be kept under review.

Plans for the upgrading of a Sheep Genetic Improvement Programme are well advanced and I hope that agreement can be reached and a new programme put in place for the 2008/2009 sheep breeding year.

Transparency on pricing is a pre-requisite for efforts to improve quality and respond to the needs of the market. Farmer confidence in the pricing system operated by plants will be improved if mechanical grading can be introduced. My Department is currently facilitating trials as a first step in establishing such a system.

Teagasc continues to play a very constructive role and have developed a comprehensive plan to restructure their sheep support services, including a programme for Technology Evaluation and Transfer farms, which includes hill and lowland areas. This approach will encourage the application of the latest management practices to sheep enterprises and identify research and development needs.

Bord Bia is also playing a prominent part. The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme was established in 2007 and my Department made available €0.4 million to support inspections under the scheme and this funding has been repeated for 2008.

In addition to the measures being taken at producer and processor level, promotional efforts are very necessary. Bord Bia will continue to organize strategic marketing campaigns marketing in selected European markets. The downward trend in lamb consumption in certain markets presents a real challenge. To address this, Bord Bia is collaborating with its French and British counterparts on a 3 year generic lamb promotion on the very important French market to promote lamb to younger consumers.

I raised the development of the sheep sector at the EU Council of Agricultural Ministers meeting on 17th March. Other member states also intervened to underline the importance of the sector, particularly in disadvantaged agricultural areas. While definitive conclusions were not drawn on possible support action, the Commission undertook to keep the sector in mind in the on-going "health check" discussions concerning the Common Agriculture Policy.