Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to fully implement the recommendations of the Sheep Industry Strategy Group. [18151/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Sheep Strategy Implementation Group reported in April 2007 and addressed the various recommendations of the Sheep Industry Strategy Group. The Implementation Group recognised that many of the recommendations fell to be implemented by the industry itself but my Department and the state agencies under my aegis are also playing an active role. Progress is being made in implementing the recommendations. Some have already being implemented whereas work is continuing on others. The following paragraphs set out the position regarding those recommendations specifically directed at my Department and related agencies:

Under REPS 4, a new mixed grazing measure specially targeted at sheep farmers has been introduced and development of this measure is being 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.

My Department has recently facilitated trials on mechanical grading for sheep and the results will be assessed in the coming months. Farmer confidence in the pricing system operated by plants will be improved if mechanical grading can be introduced and this should result in efforts to improve quality and respond to the needs of the market.

Teagasc has 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 provide an opportunity for developing a dialogue with sheep farmers about the application of the latest management practices to their enterprises and identify research and development needs.

The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme was established by Bord Bia in 2007. Some 6,000 farms have been registered and over 4,200 farm audits have been carried out. In 2007 the Department made available €0.4m to support inspections under the scheme and this funding was repeated in 2008.

In addition to the measures being taken at producer and processor level, promotional efforts are very necessary. Bord Bia will continue to organise strategic marketing campaigns 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.