Vol. 471 No. 4
257 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure that the strict controls on EU imports of sheepmeat will be strengthened and enforced in the current review of EU sheepmeat policy under Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20850/96]
258 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure, in the current review of EU sheepmeat policy under Ireland's Presidency of the EU, that the date for declaring the hogget one year old is moved back from its current date of 15 April to 1 January in order to ensure that dry hoggets are removed from the market before early lambs. [20851/96]
259 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure, in the current review of EU sheepmeat policy under Ireland's Presidency of the EU, that the rural world premium, which was extended to non-disadvantaged areas in 1995 for a 12-month period, is continued in 1996 and in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20852/96]
260 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure, in the current review of EU sheepmeat policy under Ireland's Presidency of the EU, that sheep will be included in extensification premia payments in view of the fact that they are already included in extensification calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20853/96]
261 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure, in the current review of EU sheepmeat policy under Ireland's Presidency of the EU, that the 7 per cent stabiliser is removed in view of the fact that ewe numbers are in decline throughout the EU and strict production quotas have been in place since 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/96]
262 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will ensure, in the current review of EU sheepmeat policy under Ireland's Presidency of the EU, that there is an automatic ewe premium top-up mechanism when the national price goes below the average EU price by 10 per cent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20855/96]
I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 257, 258, 259, 260, 261 and 262 together. The EU Commission is required by regulation to provide a report on the sheepmeat quota regime to the Council of Agriculture Ministers in 1996. In that context I proposed to the Commission that the opportunity should be availed of to examine the wider aspects of the sheepmeat regime. As part of my submission to the Commission I have raised the various issues referred to by the Deputy, particularly in regard to adjusting the ewe premium system. The Commission report, which is now available, is confined to the issue of the operation of the quota regime and therefore any discussions under Ireland's Presidency will be in the context of that report.
The importation of sheepmeat into the EU takes place under the auspices of the 1995 GATT Agreement which prescribes import quotas and sets trading conditions up to 1999. Under this agreement there is strict monitoring of sheepmeat imports but it would be a breach of the terms of the GATT to attempt to impose any further restrictions on imports.
I should point out that Irish sheepmeat prices in 1996 have been at record levels, and to date are 18 per cent above 1995 levels. The current buoyant demand for breeding stock indicates a strong degree of confidence in the sector. I will however continue to press for adjustment to the regime in order to make it more responsive to market fluctuations.
