Press Release: A simpler and more market-oriented sheepmeat regime

On 16 May 2001 the European Commission agreed a proposal to reform the European Union's sheepmeat regime to make it simpler and more market oriented. The most notable change is the introduction of a fixed premium for farmers rather than a variable deficiency payment used to date. The proposal aims to retain aspects of the regime that are working well, such as producers' individual limits of premium rights. These have proved effective in maintaining market balance.