I have raised the question of sheep at Council of Ministers meetings on a number of occasions and at the November meeting my proposal that a review be done was seconded by the UK Minister, Mr. Nick Brown.
We want equity in the ewe premium system; it is not fair that farmers in countries such as France, where sheep prices are 30% higher than in Ireland, get the same ewe premium as Irish farmers. We want the introduction of the extensification premium. It is not fair that sheep are included for numbers but not for payment. We want realignment of the stabiliser; there is no need for that. We want a technical coefficient; southern countries have lighter sheep than we have, yet they get the same premium. Finally, New Zealand imports are too great and must be reduced.