Is the Minister aware of the number of people who have failed to qualify for ewe premium payments as a result of their not having enough sheep on the farm on the arrival of the Department's inspector? Many people view this as a very stupid rule. Many farmers, particularly smaller farmers, do not qualify for a grant even though they may be only one or two short of the required number. Has the Minister any proposal to change the regulation?

We are fortunate enough to have the European Community pay 100 per cent, not 70 per cent or 75 per cent, of the cost of ewe premium grants and because of this it is they who lay down the conditions for the payment of the premium. They insist that the number of sheep as stated on the application must be exactly the same as the number of sheep on the farm on the date of inspection. There would have to be exceptional circumstances before they would be prepared to depart from this condition. Obviously if there are exceptional circumstances we would be glad to examine the case but it is in the interests of the owners themselves to ensure that they adhere to the regulations as set down by the European Community.