asked the Minister for Agriculture the plans he has for the development of schemes for hill sheep farmers and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hill Sheep Farmers.
10.
The future development of the sheep sector must be largely centred around the common organisation of the market for sheepmeat which came into operation on 20 October 1980.
Of special advantage to the sheep producers in mountain areas are the grants available under the EEC Disadvantaged Areas Directive. These will still operate and I will continue to ensure that the form of grants payable will be to the best advantage of the hill producers.
Under the Farm Modernisation Scheme producers can avail of grants for sheep wintering facilities, fencing and improvement of mountain land and lamb-fattening units. Under the western package these grants will be continued and improved.
Breed improvement schemes are also operated by my Department and county committees of agriculture.
In the long term it is by improved management and feeding that sheep producers can guarantee themselves a better future and higher returns. They should use the advice available from ACOT Specialists.
Can the Minister promise that the farmers will get the full grants being promised now? I ask the question because I heard the Minister and at least one of the Ministers of State who is sitting behind him promise the farmers in Donegal £7 per ewe whereas those farmers realise now that all they will get will be between 50p and 70p by way of subsidy. Since they were misled on the occasion of which I speak, is it not possible that they are being misled now?
That is a completely separate question.
But can the Minister not give us an answer?
If the Deputy tables a separate question, I shall endeavour to let him have an answer.
There is reference in the question to hill sheep farmers. Is there any such designation as hill farmers within the EEC regulations so far as this county is concerned?
The answer is no.
Therefore, no concessions for that designation are available to Irish farmers.
There is the designation for them of disadvantaged areas. There are advantages in that but there is no area of this country designated as a hill area.
To what extent is the Minister making efforts to have this designation apply since, obviously, there are hills and hill farmers in Ireland?
I agree, but when the decision in that regard was made I was not involved.
We cannot have a debate on the matter.