National Sheep Chair John Lynskey highlighted the need for strong viable lamb prices and price stability at this important time of the season to Meat Industry Ireland and the main lamb factories at a meeting last week. John Lynskey warned that price shocks must be avoided, saying, “Irish processors are the dominant export players in the EU market at this time of year and have a major responsibility not to undermine the market. “With the majority of Irish lamb now being cut and retail packed by the meat plants as opposed to being sold as carcases, the factories are in a much stronger position to avoid price shocks and maintain stability. The IFA sheep farmer leader told the factories that maintaining confidence at farm level is crucial as strong stable prices are critical to farm incomes, which are very low on sheep farms. He said it is important that farmers select lambs carefully and sell as they become fit. Factories also have an important role to play in ensuring that carcase weights are moved up appropriately as the season progresses. The sheep kill is up on last year and significant spring lamb and hogget numbers have been sold in recent weeks with the disposals reaching 60,000 head per week in the run up to the beginning of the Ramadan festival on May 28th. Market demand is very strong with domestic sales reported to have increased by over 11% during the Easter period. IFA also met with the Department of Agriculture on the Clean Livestock Policy for sheep last week. IFA made it very clear to the Department that this policy cannot result in any additional costs or charges on farmers and that it has to be consistent and practical.