Vol. 465 No. 8
8 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he has sought disaster funding from the EU in respect of the losses suffered by sheep farmers in the Nire Valley area of the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford during the recent snow blizzard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10610/96]
16 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he will put a five year scheme in place in order to allow ewe numbers be brought up to pre-disaster levels in view of the recent severe snow blizzard in the Nire Valley area of the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford, where many sheep farmers suffered major losses; if he will allow full payment to the farmers for five years on existing quota numbers in order to protect the livelihoods of the farmers concerned while they rebuild their flocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10609/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 16 together.
I am aware of the losses suffered by sheep farmers in the Nire Valley, County Waterford, during March 1996. Once the extent of the problem became apparent, I had measures set in motion to ensure that the full ewe premium and sheep headage payments be paid in 1996 for the sheep lost in the disaster. In addition, I have instructed that the producers affected would be exempted from the requirement to fill 70 per cent of their quotas in 1996 and 1997.
EU Regulations do not permit my Department to pay the full ewe premium to these farmers on their 1996 ewe numbers, while they rebuild their flocks. The EU disaster fund is specifically for humanitarian aid and does not cover situations of this nature.
