I accept that the Irish sheep sector is in need of assistance and, mindful of the particular difficulties being experienced, I have decided on a two-fold approach to help address the situation. In the first instance and as I announced in March, I have decided to allocate approximately €7 million from the Single Farm Payment National Reserve to 14,000 hill sheep farmers for this year, these being the only additional funds to which I have access in 2009.
Secondly, from 2010, there will be €25 million in additional funding available in unused CAP funds, designed to target specific sectors and regions in need of assistance. I have decided that €18 million of these funds will be targeted at sheep farmers, both hill and lowland sheep producers. My main priority in allocating these funds, is to ensure that they are used in the most efficient and effective manner for the development of Irish agriculture.
The 2009 Upland Sheep Payment will be payable to farmers who: declared their sheep under the 2007 and the 2008 Sheep Census; declared Mountain Type Grazing under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme; and were eligible for and were in receipt of payment under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The maximum area payable is 15 hectares of mountain type grazing. Arrangements in respect of the Upland Sheep Payment will be announced shortly.