Lamb giveaway to highlight prices

SHEEP farmers will give away lamb in Dublin centre today to raise awareness of the low prices they are being paid.

The giveaway has been organised by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) whose national sheep chairman Mervyn Sunderland explained the reasons behind the move.

“We are getting the same price for lamb as we did 25 years ago. The quote for lamb is the lowest in seven years for this time of year,” he said.

Mr Sunderland suggested any other industry would not survive under that kind of pressure.

He said farmers are on average getting between €66 and €76 for a lamb at the factory gates. This same lamb, once boned, will retail between €240 and €270.

“ICSA are determined to point out that farmers simply cannot maintain production when retailer power is forcing the prices so low. These low prices are not being passed on to the consumer.

“If the situation continues, it will have a devastating effect on the sheep industry in Ireland,” he said.

Mr Sunderland said members will be giving away their lamb free to the public in O’Connell Street from 10.30am today.

“We are practically giving it away free to the factories and retailers anyway. At least, this way, the public will get to sample the best of Irish lamb without lining the pockets of multinational retailers,” he said.