Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 July 2007
164 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the new farm retirement and installation aid schemes will be made available to eligible applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19548/07]
View answerThe two schemes referred to were introduced on 13 June 2007. Details of the schemes and the accompanying application forms are available on my Department's website.
165 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the new suckler cow scheme and sheep development scheme will be made available to eligible applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19549/07]
View answerProposals for an Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds were originally submitted to the European Commission in December 2006 as part of the draft Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. In discussions with the Commission, it requested that measures solely funded by the exchequer, such as this scheme, be removed from the programme. My Department therefore prepared an application for state aid approval separately, as required under EU rules. This is currently under consideration by the Commission. My Department is in contact with the Commission with a view to advancing this consideration as rapidly as possible.
In the case of the sheep sector, I set out in May a series of measures to assist the sector. These followed on from the work of the Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group. They included a supplementary measure under REPS and support for on-farm investment by sheep farmers. These measures form part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, for which I hope to obtain approval shortly. Provision has also been made to assist the sector in the areas of production, breeding, quality assurance and animal health and welfare. I am confident that this comprehensive package of measures will secure the full commitment of all those involved in the sector and the result will be a more efficient, competitive and profitable sheep industry at all levels.
