Supplementary measure three of the REP scheme provides for additional payments to be made to REPS participants who rear listed local breeds in danger of extinction. Breeds listed on the food and agri culture organisation list as being endangered are eligible for payment.
Proposals for the new scheme as submitted to the EU Commission under the rural development plan did include the Galway sheep as an endangered breed eligible for payment under supplementary measure three. As the Galway sheep is not on the FAO list of endangered breeds, however, it does not meet the eligibility criteria for payment under REPS. Any future changes in the food and agriculture organisation list of endangered species may be reflected in the REP scheme.
As regards breeding, the Department, in conjunction with the Galway Sheep Breed Society, operates a breed improvement programme to cater specifically for the Galway breed. The objective of this programme is to improve litter size through on-farm recording and selection within the breed. The Department is conscious that the Galway breed is our only native sheep breed and, when crossed with recorded high-genetic merit rams, produces lambs that are well suited to our main home and export markets.
