Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2013
175. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect rare sheep breeds; if he will include them in Common Agricultural Policy negotiations and-or any other scheme administered by his Department in order to ensure rare breed survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28486/13]
View answerEU Regulations provide for financial support for animals in danger of being lost to farming, more commonly referred to as rare breeds and support is currently available through the Rural Environment Protection Scheme and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme.
Future policy will be determined in the context of the introduction of the EU regulatory framework governing the next programming period 2014-2020. I expect that support for animals in danger of being lost to farming will continue to qualify for support in any agri-environment schemes that may be launched in the future.
