Mayo TD raises concerns for sheep farmers in Dáil

DEPUTY Alan Dillon has called for direct targeted supports for sheep farmers.

Speaking to Tanaiste Michéal Martin during questions on policy and legislation this week, Deputy Dillon said sheep farmers are the second largest farming sector in our country, carried out on over 36,000 farms that produce a world class product.

These farmers are a crucial economic component of our local economy and generate vital employment in rural communities across the country.

“However, low incomes in this sector are prohibiting new entrants, with many sheep producers grappling with increased production costs, while prices falls, and supply carry over of stored lamb are real factors of concern,” he said.

“Over 19,000 farmers have applied for the Sheep Improvement Scheme but the €12 payment per ewe is inadequate to protect the economic viability of the sector.”

He called for enhanced measures for the Sheep Improvement Scheme. “Farmers need government to implement a direct, targeted support to ensure farmers applying have a better payment of €30 per ewe to ensure new entrants into the sheep farming sector can have the opportunity to build their flock and also to protect existing farmers in this area.”

The Tánaiste said he would engage with the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConologue, in respect of this.

“There have been an ongoing wide variety of supports under the Common Agricultural Policy more generally, but I will engage with him on the issue of targeted supports. Obviously, there are cyclical aspects to the industry and to different sectors within the industry. I will make the minister aware of the issues the deputy raised,” he said.