ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara has said processors are continuing to toy with producers in a cynical effort to flush out supplies and drive down prices. “Farmers must resist this ploy and hold out for prices,” he said.

“Ramadan only began on 23 April and continues until 28 May but factories would have us believe that demand has disappeared since Sunday with some factories not even quoting for tomorrow. Yet all the while, sheep and sheep products continue to be sourced from Britain and Northern Ireland to the detriment of local suppliers. It makes no sense.”

“It is simply not the case that demand has suddenly gone away and with supplies remaining tight there is no justification for cutting prices. It is gamesmanship on the part of the processors to exact as much pressure as possible on hard pressed farmers and it must be resisted.”

ENDS