13 OCTOBER 2017

ICSA sheep chairman John Brooks has said that processors are ramping up their efforts to keep sheep prices down. “Meat plants are creating the impression of a backlog and an oversupply in the marketplace by using imported lamb and lamb products from Northern Ireland and the UK. The result of this on the ground is farmers here are having to wait three to four days to get lambs slaughtered and with some companies this wait can be up to a week.”

Continuing Mr Brooks said, “This practice puts at risk the whole idea of traceability, origin green and quality assurance. It also shows a complete lack of respect for both the producer and the consumer.”

“Processors are also capping weights while also making efforts to procure heavier lambs from their agents in a cynical attempt to acquire as much ‘free meat’ as possible, all at the expense of the producer. ”

ENDS