Alan M. Dukes
Ceist:196 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will consider the immediate introduction of the revised rate of ewe premiums recently agreed by the European Commission. [19624/01]
Written Answers. - Ewe Premium.
The EU Commission has recently presented its proposals for reform of the sheepmeat regime. The main element in these proposals is that the current variable ewe premium should be replaced by a fixed premium of 21. Discussions on these proposals have just commenced in the Council and it will be some months before they are concluded. In any event the proposal will apply from 2002 only and it will not be possible to pay the revised premium until the measure has been brought into effect. As regards the 2001 ewe premium it is expected that payment of the first instalment can commence towards the middle of July. It should be pointed out that sheep producers have received a welcome boost to their incomes this year as a result of increased prices at abattoirs which to date have been approximately 30% above last year's levels.