asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction of sheep breeders in County Donegal and of the strong opinions expressed at a meeting in Stranorlar on 13 March 1981 concerning the new proposals to pay subsidies on ewes instead of on lambs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ewe Premium.
204.
Under the Common Market regulation for sheepmeat, losses in income to producers must normally be made up through the ewe premium. There is provision in the regulation for a premium on lambs but this is allowed to be used only where there is difficulty in checking on ewe numbers.
Headage payments on sheep in the disadvantaged areas have been made up to now on hogget ewes and mountain lambs. The system for sheep headage payments for 1981 has yet to be decided and will be subject to approval by the EC Commission.