asked the Minister for Agriculture when the ewe and ewe hogget premiums for 1983 will be paid to farmers.
419.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
418.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if ewe and ewe hogget premiums will be paid to farmers in 1984.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 419 together.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the premium payable under the sheep-meat regime. It is expected that the estimated level of this premium for the marketing year 1983-84 will be settled at a meeting in Brussels to-day. Payment of an advance of 50 per cent of the premium will then be made as soon as the necessary implementing regulation is made by the EC Commission. The balance, if any, will be paid next summer when the actual level of the premium is established after the end of the marketing year.
Payment of the premium for the 1984-85 marketing year will depend on the level of the market price during that year.