September 11th 1999

Sheep farmers protest over low incomes

By Paul Mooney

One hundred IFA members representing all counties protested outside the Dail on Tuesday over low incomes in the sheep sector.

"The viability of 45,000 sheep farmers is under threat because of collapsed lamb prices and inadequate ewe premium," IFA president Tom Parlon told them.

This month twenty years ago lambs averaged £44 per head, now they are making £36, he said. Mountain lambs and cull ewes are selling at £3 to £5. Prices have collapsed in the UK, our major competitor. "It is incomprehensible that the EU allows huge volumes of cheap New Zealand lamb flood the EU market at crucial times."

He detailed IFA proposals for the sector. It wants APS so as to lift lamb prices and increased Bord Bia promotion on export markets. "The light lamb trade desperately needs a push in Mediterranean markets." To facilitate live exports IFA is demanding that the Venus be allowed carry 20 livestock lorries.

IFA wants scrapping of the seven per cent EU stabiliser - this would lift premium by over £4. It wants the first 30 LU of sheep excluded from extensification calculation, a freeze on imports into the EU, regulation of future imports, a staggered retention period and increased headage.

Later Minister Walsh said he had already requested APS and would continue to press for it. He was in contact with the UK authorities with a view to making a joint approach. He had asked Bord Bia to avail of every promotion opportunity. He would continue to press the EU on policy issues including removal of the stabiliser and on extensification. He was awaiting a report from the Sheepmeat Forum.

Fine Gael's Paul Connaughton accused Minister Walsh of having failed sheep farmers at the Agenda 2,000 talks. The Minister must now press for a review of EU policy with priority on premium calculation and extensification. "Now, every effort must be made to find a market for mountain lambs as hill farmers are being wiped out."