Lamb prices are showing more signs of stability with a slight dip in throughput and lower volumes of sheepmeat processed. Farmers are securing €4.90/kg to €4.95/kg in the main with some producers with large numbers of in-spec lambs securing up to €5.00/kg. At the top end of the market, producer groups are securing up to €5.10/kg for lambs.

Meanwhile, there is pressure building on the Department to delay the introduction of mandatory EID tagging from 1 October. Farm organisations have reiterated their position that full EID tagging is unworkable in its proposed format with a lack of clarity on its implementation adding to uncertainty. This is a view echoed by the country’s leading tag manufacturers who say farmers are delaying ordering tags, which is likely to lead to delays in processing and tag supplies later in the year.