Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1590: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the impact on the Connemara sheep brand due to the destocking requirements on those hills; his plans to liaise with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30467/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Agreement was reached between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the farm bodies on additional measures to reduce the grazing pressure on the Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex and Maumturk Mountains Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The objective of this agreement, for which NPWS are making additional payments to farmers, is to establish a sustainable grazing regime to allow for regeneration of overgrazed areas which, in turn, will satisfy the European Commission that a judgement of the European Court of Justice against Ireland is being fully respected. The success of this new agreement is essential to safeguard sheep production in the area into the future.

In the context of Partnership and the agricultural agreement made under Towards 2016, a formal consultation mechanism is in place between my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the farming representative bodies. This facilitates regular consultations with the appropriate bodies in relation to issues involving designated land and the interface between nature conservation and agri-environment.