Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to fully implement the recommendations of the sheep industry strategy group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28566/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Sheep Strategy Implementation Group reported in early April 2007. The Group has addressed all the report recommendations and the Minister announced this Department's support with financial assistance in relevant areas. Progress is being made in implementing the recommendations.

My Department and the state agencies under my aegis are dealing with the areas relevant to them. Under REPS 4, a new mixed grazing measure specially targeted at sheep farmers has been introduced and progress under this measure is being kept under review.

Plans for the upgrading of a Sheep Breeding Programme are well advanced, with the recent establishment of the Interim Sheep Board under the auspices of ICBF, which should enable a new programme to be put in place for the 2008/2009 breeding year.

Farmer confidence in the pricing system operated by plants will be improved if mechanical grading can be introduced. My Department has organised trials on this aspect and the results are being assessed. It is also important that producers and processors agree on the structures necessary to reward quality and to bring transparency to the pricing system.

Teagasc are making a very positive contribution as well 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 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.

Bord Bia is also playing a prominent part. The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme was established in 2007. Almost 6,000 farms have been registered to date and over 4,200 farm audits have been carried out.

In addition to the measures being taken at producer and processor level, promotional efforts are being undertaken by An Bord Bia which 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.

The overall goal is to facilitate the development of a more profitable sheep-meat sector in Ireland covering the lamb production, lamb processing and marketing sectors of the industry. I recognise the challenges ahead but am confident about the future of the sector provided all stakeholders play their part in undertaking the various initiatives set out in the Strategy Group's report.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to increase supports for improved breeding and sheep housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28567/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Plans for the upgrading of a Sheep Breeding Programme are well advanced, with the recent establishment of the Interim Sheep Board under the auspices of ICBF, which should enable a new programme to be put in place for the 2008/2009 breeding year.

In the case of grants for sheep housing, the Farm Improvement Scheme introduced in July 2007 allowed support for investments in relation to housing and other facilities in the sheep sector. The Farm Investment Scheme closed for new applicants on 31 October 2007.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to support a quality assurance programme, aid promotion and strengthen labelling with a view to ensuring wider and deeper penetration on home and EU sheep markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28568/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme was established in 2007. Almost 6,000 farms have been registered to date and over 4,200 farm audits have been carried out.

Promotional efforts are being undertaken by An Bord Bia which continues to organise strategic lamb marketing campaigns for both the home market and 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.

The Aylward report to the European Parliament recommended the introduction of country of origin labelling and I agree with this recommendation. The issue is currently being pursued with the European Commission.