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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 4

Written Answers. - Sheep Farming.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

210 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the steps, if any, he intends to take to protect the income of sheep farmers; if he will seek (1) an amendment in the reduction in the ewe premium and (2) a restriction on the importation of New Zealand lamb; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In accordance with what I indicated during the Adjournment Debates in the Dail and Seanad on 24 June last, I raised the question of the lower ewe premium for 1992 resulting from its calculation for the first time on the basis of a single region of the entire Community, at last week's Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg. At Council I pressed for an additional premium to compensate farmers in member states, including Ireland, where market prices are particuarly low. The Commission noted my concerns and agreed to monitor developments closely over the coming months.

The importation of New Zealand lamb into the EC is governed by a Voluntary Restraint Agreement under the GATT, which limits imports to 205,000 tonnes per year. In addition, the Agreement contains price surveillance provisions designed to ensure that lamb imported to the EC does not undermine prices in the Community. There is no scope at present for further restrictions, but it is of course the policy of my Department to bring to the Commission's attention at all times the need to ensure that the existing protective provisions are fully observed. The Agreement expires at the end of 1992 and any further Agreement would require a consensus between the EC Member States and New Zealand. In this regard I will be pressing for terms taking full account of Ireland's interests.

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