Ireland: ICSA to hold protest on sheep crisis outside the Dáil

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) is set to stage a protest calling for improved conditions for sheep farmers on Tuesday, February 28. The protest, which will take place outside the Dáil, will commence at midday and continue until 2:30p.m, before moving to Agriculture House on Kildare St. in Co. Dublin. The protesters will call for a support package for the sheep farming sector, similar to that which was provided to other farming sectors in times of crisis over recent years. Discussion around the difficulties facing farmers in this sector has heightened of late, with numerous demonstrations taking place as well as calls for action from farmers and their representative bodies. In a statement, ICSA president Dermot Kelleher said the sheep farming sector “has been hit hardest by a combination of lower prices and input costs”, while sheep and lamb prices have been falling consistently over the past six months. “Unlike other sectors, sheepmeat price has dropped ...