More support needed to halt sheep sector decline

The sheep sector continues to decline, with the IFA Sheep Chair calling for more support to farmers provided by the Government.

Sheep numbers continue to decline with a drop of 1.5% reported by the CSO.

A call for more support for the Irish sheep sector as a result of its steady decline in recent years was made by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) have recorded a provisional decrease in total sheep numbers which have dropped by 1.5% the equivalent of 77,200 head, to a total of 5.09m.

The report found that breeding sheep have dropped by 71,700 head (2.7%), and ‘other' sheep (non-breeding) have also fallen by 5,500 (0.2%).

Rams are the only numbers that have increased within sheep, with an increase of 2.9% to a total of 85,200 head between June 2024 and June 2025.

Discussing the sheep sector decline, IFA Sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher said the ball is firmly in Minister of Agriculture, Martin Heydon’s court.

He said the support package the Minister will provide in next week’s Budget for sheep farmers will be a clear indication of his and the Government’s commitment to sheep production in the country.

Mr Gallagher said that to date this year, throughput in sheep processing plants is back over 350,000 head, following a drop of over 360,000 last year. Over the past two years, that’s a reduction of 700,000 sheep processed.

“The figures are startling and there for all to see. Unless there is significant long-term direct support for farmers lambing ewes, we risk losing the second largest farm sector in the country,” Mr Gallagher explained.

He said the Minister must build on the €22m package provided for this year’s Sheep Welfare Scheme, which, combined with the CAP Sheep Improvement Scheme, allocated a payment of €25 per ewe to sheep farmers. This must be built on to bring payments to a minimum of €30per ewe, and €40 per ewe for hill farmers.

Mr Gallagher warned that if sheep numbers continue to drop like they have over the past two years, it will no longer be a competitive processing sector able to retain key customers like major retailers.

“The Minister and his Government colleagues must come forward with a long-term strategy for the sector, starting with firm funding commitments in the upcoming budget for targeted sheep supports for next year of a minimum of €30/ewe,” the IFA Sheep Chair concluded.