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The Sheep Welfare Scheme needs to be extended beyond this year and deliver a higher rate of payment, according to ICSA sheep chair Seán McNamara.
He has said the financial losses incurred by sheep farmers during 2019 must be reflected in an increased payment through the scheme and also called for a compensation scheme similar to the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) for sheep farmers.
It’s high time the financial losses of sheep farmers were acknowledged, and compensation provided
“ICSA believes, at minimum, a payment of €15 per ewe must be facilitated. This can be done through a bolt-on mechanism to the scheme,” he said.
BEAM for sheep
In conjunction with increased payments through the Sheep Welfare Scheme, McNamara said a BEAM-type scheme for sheep is also required.
“It’s not just the beef sector that’s been badly affected by the never-ending uncertainty of Brexit; the sheep sector has been severely hit with lower prices too. Most fit lambs were sold below the cost of production this year.
“It’s high time the financial losses of sheep farmers were acknowledged, and compensation provided.
“Planning for this must begin immediately and these payments combined must amount to more than a token payment. Token payments will not keep the sheep sector viable,” he said.
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