asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider dropping the statutory condition whereby ewe subsidy payments are not made to flockowners with less than ten sheep in view of the hardship caused to small farmers; and if he will introduce a discretionary clause that where there is hardship, payment will be made to such flockowners.
Written Answers. - Ewe Premium Scheme.
354.
The ewe premium scheme is fully funded by the EC and the terms and conditions of the scheme are set down in EC Regulations. These do not permit the payment of premiums to flockowners in the Community with less than ten ewes. There is no power vested in the individual member states to waive or modify this restriction.