728 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the main recommendations in the Malone sheep report; the number of recommendations she has implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14296/07]

747 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to implement the full Malone recommendations including incentive payments to procedures, to ensure a strong uptake at farm level in both lowlands and hill areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14505/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 747 together.

The Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group, under the chairmanship of Mr. John Malone, issued its report in June 2006. The report contained a total of 37 recommendations as to how the future of the sheep sector could be secured going forward. I established an Implementation Group, also under the chairmanship of Mr. Malone, in July 2006, to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.

The Chairman has now submitted his report to me setting out the position of the Implementation Group on the actions required to implement each recommendation in the June 2006 Strategy Report. The Implementation Group has addressed the recommendations and I will be commenting further on these in the coming weeks.