Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the proposals contained in the Malone Report on the sheep sector are being supported by Government action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34436/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Last year a series of measures were announced by my predecessor in support of the sheep industry in response to the recommendations of the Malone Report. These measures form a comprehensive package of support to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Good progress is being made in implementing the various measures. These include the following.

National Reserve

Payments of an additional €6m to qualifying sheep farmers were issued under the 2007 National Reserve.

REPS

My Department secured European Commission approval for a new supplementary measure in REPS 4 promoting mixed grazing of cattle and sheep. Under this supplementary measure a farmer can qualify for an annual payment of up to €1,000 in addition to his or her basic REPS payment.

Breed Improvement Programme

An Interim Sheep Breeding Board has been established representing my Department, pedigree breeders and producers and responsibility for the Pedigree Sheep Breed Improvement programme is currently being transferred to ICBF

Mechanical Grading

Trials have been carried out on the use of new technology to allow for the mechanical grading of carcases in the sheepmeat sector and the results are being assessed.

Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme

The lamb quality assurance scheme, which was established in 2007, has seen some 6,000 farms being registered to date.

Bord Bia

Bord Bia is continuing to organise strategic marketing campaigns in selected European markets. Along with its French and British counterparts Bord Bia is undertaking a three-year generic lamb promotion on the very important French market to promote lamb to younger consumers.

Teagasc

Teagasc 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.

These measures complement those to be taken by the industry itself in implementation of the Malone Report. I am satisfied that my Department is dealing satisfactorily with the areas of the report within its remit.

At EU level, the proposals in the Aylward Report to assist the sector were considered at a conference in Limoges, on 4 and 5 September which I attended. At that conference I made known my concerns for the future of the sheep industry both in Ireland and in Europe and fully supported moves by the French Presidency to pursue possible solutions to help the sector.