Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:68 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the purpose of the 1988 ewe stabiliser in the 1992 quota system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20714/96]
Written Answers. - Ewe Stabiliser.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:69 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the scope, if any, which exists within the EU Presidency for redirecting a percentage of the ewe stabiliser into an increase in the ewe premium to reduce the shortfall to Irish producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20715/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.
The annual ewe premium paid to sheep producers is calculated by adjusting the average income loss of sheep producers by a co-efficient, known as the stabiliser, which is designed to reflect the increase of EU sheep numbers above target size set in 1988. The current stabiliser co-efficient is a compromise figure agreed by the Council of Ministers in 1992 as part of the package which set the EU ewe premium quota levels each member state.
In the absence of a proposal from the European Commission to amend the relevant EU Council regulation, there is no scope within the Irish Presidency to redirect a percentage of the stabiliser into an increase in the ewe premium. In any event, Irish sheep prices in 1996 are 17 per cent above 1995 levels, with monthly increases in the April to September period being in the 23 per cent to 33 per cent range. Furthermore, the buoyant demand for breeding stock indicates a confident sector. In these circumstances it would not be possible to get acceptance for any further special measures for Ireland this year.