The national sheep chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Kevin Comiskey, has said that sheep farmers could face “serious implications” if the sector is not supported. Availability and cost issues remain ongoing concerns, as well higher contractor costs for baling.
Potential shortages in feed and fertiliser will have a severe impact on sheep farmers if the sector is not addressed, Comiskey added.
He suggested that restrictions such as the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) should be removed on wild bird cover, traditional hay meadows and low input grassland. This would be to ensure maximum grass growth. He also said that “sheep farmers must be allowed to use all lands at their disposal to produce food”.
Comiskey explained that any reduction in grass production will impact the sheep sector fist.
“A key aspect of sheep farming, for a significant number of farmers, is the store-lamb trade. This trade is dependent on grass supplies and will be the first to suffer if there is any reduction in grass production,” he explained.
The chair also highlighted the fact that farmers have often been told about the importance of guaranteed lamb supplies for key markets, saying that direct supports are necessary to protect markets and avoid disruption in the sector.
Overall he said that the emphasis should be on maximising resources to grow grass and on an additional plan specifically for sheep farmers.
LSL News.