Stephen Cadogan: Only 66% response to sheep scheme opportunity

The new €10 per ewe sheep welfare scheme has been heralded as a unique opportunity for sheep farmers, but it looks like only about two out of three will participate.

IFA had called on all sheep farmers with ewes to make an application for the new €10 per ewe scheme without delay, saying this was a unique opportunity that should not be missed, and the Department of Agriculture should be targeting more than 30,000 sheep farmers and 2.5m ewes for the scheme.

A very positive reaction from farmers was expected.