What do you think of the recently announced CAP proposals?

Tomas McCarthy, Co Carlow: “I was disappointed with the suckler scheme, I have to say, that they’re capping suckler cows. Suckler farmers have been struggling long enough, it’s a big hit to us. We were all hoping for a couple of hundred euros per cow. That didn’t happen and now capping it will finish it altogether. By the way they’re hitting the suckler sector, it looks like they want to get rid of suckers. It’s very disappointing.”

Where do you stand on the rate of convergence?

Tomas McCarthy: “I would like to see the level of convergence increased above 85%. The people who worked hard building up their entitlements, I think they should be entitled to hold what they have. I don’t agree with massive big €100,000 payments. I do agree with a limit on payments.”

What are your thought on the proposed Sheep Improvement Scheme?

Tomas McCarthy: “I honestly think sheep dipping is very important and should be in the scheme. Not compulsory, but an option. Sheep with lice have become a big issue.”

Thomas Broe, Co Wicklow: “I am a hill farmer, so I would like to see the Sheep Improvement Scheme changed, a new reference date on it, and an increase to €30/head for ewes. This is because the costs are a lot higher up where I’m farming, I have a longer feeding period.”

Will the requirement to purchase a genotyped ram help to improve breeding?

Tomas McCarthy: “It’s not something I’d be worried about. I buy a ram based on how he looks, to be honest. That’s always been my motto. I have never bought a ram because of his paperwork, although I’m not into pedigree sheep.”

Paul Hatton, Co Carlow: “I think that the genotyping and star system has helped the sheep industry, but personally I would look at a sheep first before I would look at what star ratings it has.”

Thomas Broe: “I wouldn’t be in favour of it. I think a lot of good sheep could be lost that way. I go by the appearance and hardiness of a sheep. They had a genotype scheme in Scotland, and they opted out of it because they were losing too many of their best rams.”

Adrian Hayden, Co Carlow: “I would be concerned as to how well genotyping would work with mountain sheep, it hasn’t been done with the Cheviot breed yet.”

Jimmy Dalton, Co Carlow: “I think it has a long way to go. I think it’s starting on the back foot compared to the sucklers. I don’t think there is enough homework done on it.”

What level of payment would you like to see per ewe?

Jimmy Dalton: “In terms of an increase in the payment per ewe, I would like to get something for the wool. The wool price is the problem, really.”

Adrian Hayden: “I would like to see a payment of €30/ewe at least. €10 is not enough.”

Paul Hatton: “We need €40/head to keep the breeding ewe feasible. Unfortunately, the younger generations are not coming into farming and we need to make it feasible for them to make a reasonable living out of it.”

Do you agree with the mandatory requirement to join the Bord Bia quality assurance scheme?

Thomas Broe: “No. I only sell store lambs, I don’t fatten any lambs and for me, it’s just an extra inspection.”

Adrian Hayden: “No. It has gone too far beyond the farmer’s control.”