Farmers and MEPs urge European governments to help sheep sector
In the European Parliament, proposals put forward by Ireland’s Liam Aylward were accepted unanimously (36 for, no votes against) by the Agriculture Committee.
Mr Aylward welcomed the setting up of an implementation task force of representatives from the European Commission and the four governments holding the next presidencies of the EU.
“We hope that the European institutions will take seriously the report’s recommendations,” said EU farmers’ spokesperson Pekka Pesonen.
The task force is charged with overseeing practical reforms needed to make the European sheep sector viable, competitive and profitable.
The report calls for:
* A per ewe payment from a sheep maintenance scheme.
* An additional payment for traditional mountain breeds.
* Labelling of EU sheepmeat products, to distinguish them from non-EU product.
* A review of the implementation and cost difficulties in a compulsory electronic sheep identification system due in 2010.
* Meaningful access for lamb products to the EU’s Food Promotion Budget.
* Better information to consumers and producers on product prices.
* Promotion of lamb’s health and protein benefits, particularly to young people.
* Review of import quotas to ensure EU lamb is not exposed to unfair competition.
* Export assistance for EU sheepmeat and offal.
* 14 days notice of cross-compliance inspections for livestock farmers.
