Written answers

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Sheepmeat Sector

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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712. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the proposed sheep scheme as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21361/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently provides a wide range of supports for sheep farmers through existing schemes such as BPS, GLAS, ANC and TAMS. These schemes make a vital contribution to the viability of the sheep sector in Ireland. The sheep sector generally makes an important contribution to the Agri-Food economy generating an output value of €320 million and exporting in excess of €230 million in 2015. Furthermore the sector also makes a vital contribution to the economy supporting 34,000 farm families directly in addition to providing several thousand jobs indirectly in rural areas also.

The new programme for Government commits to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme, with a budget of €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. The inclusion of this provision in the programme for Government reflects a commitment to ensuring the continued viability of the sheep sector in Ireland.

My Department has engaged in extensive consultations with farm organisations and with the European Commission in relation to the proposed scheme. In light of these consultations my department is currently working on the details of the scheme with a view to making a formal submission to the European Commission shortly.

Any such scheme must comply with the Rural Development Regulation. The scheme proposed itself is being developed under Article 33 of the Rural Development Regulation, which provides for animal welfare measures. All eligible actions or undertakings will have to contribute to improving animal welfare conditions for flocks within the scheme, and payments made must compensate farmers for costs incurred or income foregone as a result of participation. Furthermore, eligible actions must go beyond the normal standards of husbandry practice and must be verifiable and controllable.

My objective is to ensure that the scheme is simple to apply for and administer, that it complies with the relevant EU Regulations, makes a real contribution to the sector, and is available to as many farmers as possible.

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