Denis Naughten
Question:120 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will ensure that the new fixed ewe premium will be set at 32; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25767/01]
Written Answers. - Ewe Premium.
Denis Naughten
Question:121 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to re-negotiate at EU level, the extensification payments to ensure that sheep are included for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25768/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
The main element in the EU Commission's proposals for reform of the sheep meat regime is that the current variable ewe premium should be replaced by a fixed premium of 21. Discussions on these proposals have been taking place over the past few months and the opinion of the European Parliament is awaited. In these discussions I have been pressing for the fixed premium to be set at a level which ensures a reasonable income for sheep producers and bears some relationship with the rate of premium payable in other sectors. It is expected that negotiations will be concluded next month and I will be pressing our case to have the premium fixed at the optimum level and for the best possible support regime for Irish sheep producers in the course of these discussions.
I have made strong representations to the EU Commission and to the Council of Ministers on a number of occasions regarding the introduction of an extensification premium in the sheep sector. The Commission has not been prepared to accede to this request, however, and there has been no support for an extensification premium from other member states. I am again pursuing the question of an extensification premium in the context of the reform of the regime.