Vol. 517 No. 3
56 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the EU is carrying out a review of the EU sheepmeat regime; if so, the aspects being reviewed; when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9640/00]
The EU has engaged consultants to carry out an evaluation of the operation of the sheepmeat regime. The impact of the regime on producers' income, on production and on the environment are among the questions being examined. Discussions were held in January between my Department and one of the consultants undertaking the review. He was given a full analysis of the current regime from Ireland's perspective and the adaptation and improvements required to address the existing weakness in the system.
An arrangement was also made for the consultant to be briefed by the sheepmeat monitoring committee. The items raised with the consultant included the need for a supplementary premium, the introduction of an extensification premium in the sheep sector, the realignment of the stabiliser, the technical co-efficient and third country imports. The review is expected to be completed by June, but formal Commission proposals for reform are not expected until the autumn.
