Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 530: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plans he has to introduce a native hill breed scheme with a payment rate of €35 per mountain ewe up to a maximum of 200 ewes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31929/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The report on the future of the European Sheep Sector to the European Parliament by Mr. Liam Aylward, MEP calls, inter alia, for the introduction of an environmental payment for ewes and I have a positive attitude to this proposal. It was discussed at the recent Limoges conference on the sector in which I participated. The French Presidency are keen to develop measures to help the sector and I am fully supportive of their efforts. It is my intention to ensure that the interests of Irish sheep farmers are kept to the fore in future discussions on this issue.