asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline the subsidies, grants, and loans which will be available to mountain and low-land sheep producers during 1980, the changes, if any, made since 1979 and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aid to Sheep Producers.
33.
This year I have reintroduced the mountain lamb extension scheme under which a subsidy of £2 is paid on suitable mountain whether lambs delivered to factories between 28 January and 30 April. Details of the 1980 headage payments on ewes and lambs will be announced shortly. The scheme for the provision of rams at reduced prices to smallholders in the congested districts will be continued.
Can the Minister give any assurance that all the subsidies, grants and loans available to our mountain and lowland sheep producers during 1979 are to be made available during the current year?
Yes.
Is there no change?
There is no change.
Do the Government intend to introduce any special scheme for hill farmers and mountain farmers to promote the fattening of lambs for the French market in view of the high prices in that market and of the special expenditure required to bring hill and mountain type sheep up to the French standard?
No, there is no proposal before the Government to introduce at this time any new scheme of the nature defined by the Deputy.
Would the Minister agree that such a scheme, if introduced, would be of substantial benefit to hill farmers and would increase substantially their income for intensive rearing and fattening of hill and mountain type sheep? Will the Minister now suggest to the Government that a new loan scheme for such developments should be brought in immediately?
I accept that hill farmers have not benefited to the same degree as lowland farmers have in the deal with France. Nevertheless, in view of the financial constraints on the Government at this time it is not appropriate to introduce such a scheme now.
I suggest that the hill farmers and farmers who produce sheep on the sides of mountains are the very farmers who should be supported by any Government.
I am calling Question No. 34.
I am deeply disappointed that the Government have no plans to give some financial aid in this regard.
I have sympathy with those farmers and I will convey the sentiments expressed by the Deputy to the Government.