Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a scheme to improve sheep breeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am well aware of the role played by the blackface mountain breed of sheep in the Irish sheep industry especially in our hill regions such as those in Co. Kerry. From a maternal point of view the characteristics of the blackface breed has made, and continues to make a significant contribution to the national breeding flock. Over many years various strains of the blackface breed have developed around Ireland in response to specific climatic and environmental conditions unique to certain regions. The Kerry Blackface mountain sheep is one such of example of this, where over many generations, through a combination of natural selection and management the strain has evolved to survive and thrive in the conditions that exist in the Kerry region.

I am also aware that there are a number of threats facing the various families of Blackface that exist around the country; these include inbreeding and dilution by other sheep breeds and other strains of blackface mountain sheep. These strains have taken generations to evolve and their essential characteristics can very quickly be undone if incorrect decisions are made by farmers breeding these sheep.

If the threats mentioned above are to be overcome by Blackface breeders it is essential that they begin a process of ancestry record keeping as soon as possible. Currently in Ireland there is a very well developed infrastructure funded by my Department to facilitate this process in the form of Sheep Ireland. Sheep Ireland, a sister organisation to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) provides a national sheep database in which Irish ram breeders currently record ancestry and performance data for their flocks. This data proves an invaluable resource to these breeders when making mating decisions each year especially with a view to avoiding any risk of inbreeding, while also helping them to identify genetics that will contribute positively to the performance and profitability of their flock.

This national breed improvement programme being operated by Sheep Ireland is open to all interested groups of Blackface ram breeders. Detailed parentage records of lambs born are collected by all participating breeders which over time will provide a valuable database for future use. I would therefore recommend any groups who are concerned for the survival of the mountain blackface breed to engage with Sheep Ireland.