Sheep report widely praised

THE report produced for the European Parliament on the future of the sheep industry by Ireland East member Liam Aylward has been widely praised.

ICMSA Sheep Committee chairman James Brosnan said the Parliament must now act on the proposals to guarantee a future for the sheep sector in Ireland.

He said the focus in the report on the key issue of falling farm incomes among sheep farmers was particularly welcome.

“The introduction of a targeted financial support to reinvigorate the sheep flock is a fundamental requirement if we are to rebuild our sector that has been crippled by a mass exodus of expert farmers.”

Mr Brosnan said the report also addressed the urgent need to protect the mountain breeds whose numbers have plummeted.

“Action is needed immediately unless these breeds are to disappear completely from our farms and landscape,” he said.

The European Livestock and Meat Trading Union said the report had turned the spotlight on the sheep sector in Europe and the serious crisis it is going through. “In spite of the economic, social and environmental role played by the sheep sector, it is the forgotten even ignored child of the Common Agricultural Policy,” it said.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association chairman Mervyn Sunderland said the success of the report hinged on the implementation of key recommendations.

“This would require recognition at the highest EU level that the sheep farming sector was in serious jeopardy,” he said.