Weight restrictions costing sheep farmers' viability

At its peak, the Irish sheep sector included five million ewes; today, the figure is almost half that.

At its peak, the Irish sheep sector included five million ewes; today, the figure is almost half that.

Weight restrictions operated at sheepmeat factories are costing farmers €13 per hogget. 

"If the weight restriction of 2kg or 3kg was lifted for lamb and hogget, it would add greatly to the profitability of producing the lamb," said Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill during the recent Dáil debate on difficulties for sheep farmers.