Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:34 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the EU council meeting in Spain scheduled for December will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17044/95]
Written Answers. - EU Council Ewe Premia.
John Ellis
Ceist:76 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has calculated the income loss to Irish sheep farmers in terms of additional ewe premium compensation in 1995; and if he will specify the amount of money per ewe he is seeking to negotiate in Brussels to fully compensate flock owners taking account of the fact that lamb prices are significantly below the EU average and at an unprecedented low level this year. [17084/95]
I proposed to take Questions Nos. 34 and 76 together.
The Council of Agriculture Ministers is scheduled to meet in Brussels on 11 and 12 December.
Lamb prices to date this year were on average 4 per cent below 1994 levels. Prices were significantly below 1994 levels during the period April to June but have strengthened considerably since then and, over the past few weeks, have been some 6 per cent above 1994 levels. On the basis of current trends, it is estimated that the full ewe premium for 1995 will be between £2 and £3 per head higher than in 1994.
I have spared no effort to ensure that the income problems of Irish sheep farmers have been fully understood by the EU Commission and my colleagues in the Council of Ministers. There has already been a speedy response from the Commission in the form of two schemes of aid for private storage and the earliest ever payment of the first two tranches of the ewe premium. In addition, An Bord Bia has mounted an effective promotion campaign on the domestic and export markets and is in the process of the completion of an in-depth review of the export markets for lamb.
I intend to maintain contact with the EC Commission and the EU Presidency to ensure that full consideration is given to proposals put to Commissioner Fischler last March to address what was then an emerging problem, especially for early season producers.
I intend to pursue these proposals with the Commission and the Council until a satisfactory outcome is achieved.