Sheep Sector.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2008

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

Questions (31)

Shane McEntee

Question:

99 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the take up of the €28 million mixed grazing supplementary measure available to sheep farmers; the way outstanding funds will be utilised should the take up remain low; his views on whether the eligibility criteria for this scheme is impractical as currently structured; his views on the need to amend the qualifying criteria in view of the need for aid to sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25666/08]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

The mixed grazing supplementary measure is available to farmers joining REPS 4. Currently, my Department is in the process of analysing the applications for REPS 4 received up to the closing date of 15 May. The number of farmers opting for the mixed grazing supplementary measure cannot be determined until this analysis is complete.

The supplementary measure was approved by the European Commission on the basis of the environmental benefits accruing from following a mixed grazing regime and any change to the measure would require further Commission approval and could only be justified on environmental grounds. REPS is a voluntary, demand-led scheme and it is open to farmers to opt for the measure.