The following table sets out CSO figures for the sheep population in Ireland, in June of each year, for the past ten years:
Year
|
Total sheep
|
|
(000 head)
|
1998
|
8,312.0
|
1999
|
7,925.5
|
2000
|
7,555.0
|
2001
|
7,330.3
|
2002
|
7,209.6
|
2003
|
6,848.9
|
2004
|
6,777.2
|
2005
|
6,392.2
|
2006
|
5,973.2
|
2007
|
5,521.6
|
2008
|
5,061.4
|
The report of the Sheep Strategy Development Group charts the correct way forward for the sector. My Department and the agencies under its aegis have made considerable progress in implementing the report's recommendations that are within their remit. These include the establishment of Sheep Ireland to take over my Department's current breed improvement programme and develop a new programme; the establishment of an additional supplementary measure under REPS 4 to promote mixed grazing of cattle and sheep; the development of a trial on the feasibility of mechanical classification for lamb, the results of which are currently being examined; the establishment of a Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme in 2007, which now has over 7000 participants; and the development of a comprehensive programme by Teagasc to improve the management and husbandry of flocks. The actions being taken by my Department and the State agencies under my aegis complement those being taken by the industry. I am confident that taken together, all of these actions will be of significant benefit to the sector. The sheep sector benefits significantly from the main schemes operated by my Department — the Single Farm Payment, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and REPS. I took account of the needs of this sector when I decided that the €7 million available from the National Reserve in 2009 should be used on a new Uplands Sheep Payment, which is expected to benefit approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers. Bord Bia will spend up to €1 million on the promotion of sheep and lamb at home and abroad in 2009. Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research. Under the final agreement on the CAP Health Check, Ireland will have access to additional funds of approximately €25 million annually from unspent CAP funds from 2010. These funds can be used to address specific disadvantages affecting farmers in a number of sectors including the sheep sector. My main priority in allocating these funds is to ensure they are used in the most efficient and effective manner for the development of Irish agriculture. As I have already indicated, the sheep sector will be a substantial beneficiary. I hope to announce details in the coming weeks.