Ireland: Rural TDs stand firmly with sheep farmers amid sector crisis

Published Feb 24, 2023

Tridge summary

Rural TDs, led by Deputy Mattie McGrath, are calling for increased government support for Irish sheep farmers, advocating for a new ewe premium of at least €30/ewe due to the sector's financial crisis. They argue that the current support of €12/ewe is insufficient to offset inflation. The Irish Farmers’ Association’s Sheep Committee has backed these demands, appealing for a practical financial package. The Rural Independent Group has highlighted the critical nature of the sheep sector, which supports 36,000 farms, and urged the Minister for Agriculture to take immediate action.

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Original content

Rural TDs “stand firmly” with sheep farmers in their campaign for increased support by government which has thus far failed to address the devastating situation, Deputy Mattie McGrath has said. Calls for a new ewe premium of at least €30/ewe have been supported by the group of TDs led by Deputy McGrath who said the livelihoods of Irish sheep farmers depend on greater support. The leader of the Rural Independent Group was speaking after sheep farmers have taken their pleas to Dublin earlier this week to demand immediate and urgent financial support. Emphasising the urgent need for financial aid, he said: “The dire income crisis on sheep farms is ravaging our hard-working farmers and pushing them to the brink of financial ruin. “The shocking reality is that the margins of our sheep farmers have been obliterated, plummeting by an astounding 81% to a measly €7/ewe in 2022. “And with limited hope for improvement in 2023, the situation is dire.” Advertisement The sum of €12/ewe under ...

Source: AgriLand