Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the size of the national sheep flock at the end of each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16327/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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According to the CSO, the size of the national sheep flock in December for the years in question was as shown in the table below:

I am aware of the decline in numbers in the national flock, although Ireland is not unique in that regard. Most of the main sheep-producing countries in Europe and indeed worldwide are facing problems, with reducing flocks, pressure on income and producers leaving the sector. I have identified this sector as one in need of specific supports and earlier this month, I launched a three-year, €54 million grassland sheep scheme, the funding for which, comes from unused Single Payment funds. The focus of this scheme is on breeding ewes and it should help to prevent further declines in flock numbers, by giving farmers a real incentive to maintain their production levels. It should also provide sheep farmers with a much-needed boost to their incomes. The sector should also benefit under the Rural Development Programme, where an indicative figure of €8 million has been allocated for sheep fencing and mobile handling facilities, to help sheep farmers in reducing labour input.

In addition to this extra funding, last year I assigned €7 million from the 2009 Single Farm Payment National Reserve to 13,000 hill sheep farmers, under the Uplands Sheep Payment Scheme. Bord Bia will also spend up to €1 million this year on the promotion of sheep and lamb at home and abroad and Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research for 2010.

All of these supports complement the work being undertaken by my Department, its state agencies and the industry, following the recommendations of the Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group – "the Malone Report". This report provides a clear blueprint for the development of a more profitable sheep sector in Ireland and covers production, processing and marketing. While most of the recommendations in the Malone report fall to be implemented by the industry itself, my Department is playing its part by providing assistance for areas such as breeding and quality assurance. I am confident that every effort is being made to support this sector, which is a valuable part of the overall agrifood sector.