Written answers

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Schemes

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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355. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a continuation of a welfare scheme for sheep, including the provision to pay up to €20 per ewe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45929/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the important role that the sheep sector plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector, and its valuable contribution to the rural economy.

The strong performance of the sector in 2020 has continued into 2021 and I am delighted that farmers are being rewarded from the market for their hard work. Reductions in production globally and increased demand are expected to support continued strong performance throughout 2021. The current average price is €6.07 per kg, which is 20% above the same period last year.

The Sheep Welfare Scheme was introduced in December 2016 as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, having been agreed with the European Commission. In the four years of the scheme to date, €66.9 million has been paid to 18,268 farmers. The Sheep Welfare scheme has been extended in 2021 as part of the transition arrangements prior to the next CAP.

I was pleased to be able to secure funding as part of Budget 2021 to facilitate the extension of the scheme into 2021 prior to the next CAP. Any further extension to the scheme for 2022 will be considered as part of the budgetary process in October.

The existing payment rate of €10 per eligible breeding ewe set under the current scheme was based on an assessment of the costs incurred and income foregone for the menu of actions set out under the scheme. These were agreed with the Commission when designing the scheme and as such, it is not proposed to amend the payment rates under the scheme at this point.

With regard to the new CAP, officials in the Department have been examining options to build on the existing Sheep Welfare Scheme. It is important to note that any such scheme must operate on the basis of specific actions to enhance animal health and welfare being carried out, with funding on the basis of costs incurred and income foregone, as is the case with the current scheme. The Department is working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide indicative funding for co-financing of the rural development aspects of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).

A public consultation on the draft interventions proposed for the CSP has recently ended and the submissions received are being reviewed. I will continue to consult on the content of the plan with the key stakeholders, through the CAP Consultative Committee and through additional public consultation later in the year.

I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting the sustainable long-term development of the sheep sector.

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