Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of unspent CAP funds of 2008 available to his Department; the criteria that he will use in providing funding from this source to vulnerable sectors; and his views on whether the poultry industry is vulnerable. [3118/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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During the negotiations on the Health Check of the CAP I pressed very strongly for and was successful in getting agreement that Member States be allowed to use unspent Single Farm Payment funds for a range of measures including specific sectors in need of assistance. These funds which amount to approximately €29m will be available from 2010.

In addition I secured agreement for the early introduction of this provision in 2009 using funding available in the national reserve which in Ireland's case, amounts to approximately €7m. I have consulted widely with all stakeholders and a number of submissions have been received. These are currently being evaluated having due regard to the provisions of the Regulations and I will be announcing my decision shortly.

As regards the poultry sector, I appreciate that it faces a number of issues and these will be examined by the Poultry Expert Group. It is not, however, one of the sectors specified as in need of assistance under the EU Regulation.