A policy that focuses on increasing sheep numbers would have a detrimental effect on sheep farmers.
“The decline in sheep numbers across Europe over the past 20 years has resulted in increased prices due to scarcity,” said ICSA sheep chairman John Brooks at their Sheep Seminar in Ballybofey.
The ICSA’s position is to oppose any scheme, such as an EU wide coupled ewe premium, which would serve only to increase numbers and decrease price, he said.
“We have to be cognisant of the fact that sheepmeat consumption has been in decline over the last twenty years. As such, any incentive for farmers to increase numbers would be counter productive. ICSA believes it would be far better to focus on a targeted sheep scheme within the rural development programme in Ireland.”
“A universal premium would disrupt the fine balance between supply and demand which has been working well for us in recent times.”
