P. J. Sheehan
Question:127 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to include sheep for extensification scheme purposes. [23276/00]
Written Answers. - Extensification Premium.
I have raised the extensification premium with the European Commissioner on a number of occasions in recent years. The Commission has refused to exclude sheep from the calculation of stocking density for the extensification premium because they claim that to do so would introduce a new inequity between beef producers who also raise sheep and beef producers who rear cattle only. They are also opposed to the introduction of an extensification premium for sheep because of the cost and in their view the rural world premium takes the place of the extensification premium in the sheep sector.
I have also sought the support of colleagues in the Council of Agriculture Ministers for adjustment to the EU sheepmeat regime including the introduction of an extensification premium for sheep. I will continue to press this issue in the Council and directly with the Commission.