John Ellis
Question:36 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking to expedite payment of the EU package for sheep farmers negotiated in December 1995. [13796/96]
Written Answers. - EU Compensation Package.
Liam Fitzgerald
Question:51 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to assist sheep farmers in view of the significant drop in prices in recent weeks and the failure to date to secure payment of the EU compensation package negotiated in December 1995. [13797/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 51 together.
The EU budgetary allocation for the top-up ewe premium to Irish sheep producers in the non-disadvantaged areas, agreed at the December 1995 meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers, has been provided. Payment of the premium, however, requires the adoption of specific legislation by the EU Council of Ministers. The European Commission has submitted a proposal to the Council for a regulation to implement this agreement but the proposal cannot be adopted until the European Parliament delivers its opinion, which is expected in July. I will seek to ensure that the Council will adopt the proposal immediately the opinion of the European Parliament has been delivered. Payment will then be made as quickly as possible.
The average June lamb price received by producers is at a record high this year in comparison with June prices for the last decade. The price trend of the past two months has followed a seasonal pattern which occurs when lamb supply is boosted by the availability of new season lamb. The current week's lamb price is 25 per cent above that for the same week last year and is 8 per cent above the previous year's level. By any standards the returns to sheep producers have been good during 1996.