Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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564. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a BEAM, beef exceptional aid measure, type scheme for sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14341/20]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The sheep sector is an important element of the Irish economy and I am conscious of the importance that this sector plays in rural Ireland, especially during this difficult period.

My officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across the agrifood sector since the start of the pandemic. My Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational, and ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue.

It should be noted that, for the sheep sector, national average price and slaughter volumes in 2020 to date are above 2019 levels. I believe that the current range of supports available to sheep farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. My Department will nevertheless continue to monitor closely developments across the entire sector.