asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will arrange to have the inspection for ewe premiums and sheep subsidies carried out in November, in future, as this is regarded by hill farmers as the most suitable time for moving their flocks.
Written Answers. - Sheep Inspections.
132.
The sheep inspection period for a number of years now has run from March until June each year to the general satisfaction of the flockowners concerned. Furthermore, a ewe breeding for the first time has to be seen to be in lamb or to have lambed to be eligible for ewe premium, and the March-June period was deemed to be the best period for checking this.
If inspections were carried out during the period suggested by the Deputy, however, it would be impossible to verify whether or not most such ewes are in lamb, and premium would be lost on these ewes.