EU to assess future of sheep sector

THE Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament has agreed to carry out an economic study into the future of the sheep sector in Europe.

It will be conducted in tandem with a report the committee has already commissioned from Ireland East MEP Liam Aylward on the future of the EU’s €3.5 billion sheep sector.

Tenders have been invited to carry out the economic study which will look at what the EU should be doing to promote its lamb products to a greater extent within the union.

It will also look into a cost-effective labelling regime to be put in place so that European consumers will know the exact place of origin of lamb products being sold in Europe.

The study will make proposals outlining what changes should be brought about with the Common Agricultural Policy health check next year so as to make the sector in Europe, which has 89 million head of sheep, more competitive.

Meanwhile, Mr Aylward has confirmed he will be meeting with agriculture ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain over the next two months to discuss key elements of his proposed report.

He will be accompanied to these meetings by representatives from the European sheep farmers’ organisations and the lamb processing sector.

Ireland is the fifth largest producer of lamb in Europe.