IFA issue sheep sector warning

THE sheep sector will continue to decline unless the meat factories return a viable price to farmers for lamb, above the costs of production, the Irish Farmers Association has warned.

IFA Sheep Committee chairman Henry Burns said farmers are not going to subsidise lamb production by eroding their single farm payment.

He said sheep farmers need a price increase of €8 — €10 per lamb from the meat factories over 2006 price levels to stay in business.