ICSA sheep chair Willie Shaw is urging Department of Agriculture to address the growing crisis in the sheep sector regarding the disposal of sheep skins. “Several rendering plants have recently announced that, due to a significant decline in demand, they are no longer able to find a market for sheep skins. As a result, some processors—especially smaller ones—have been left without a cost-effective way to dispose of the skins, which is certain to have knock-on effects for sheep farmers,” he said.

“With rendering plants unwilling to take sheep skins, the only remaining option for processors is the considerably more expensive option of incineration. Smaller processors have informed ICSA that they will struggle to absorb these additional costs, which could potentially drive them out of business altogether and further reduce competition. If a solution isn’t found, these costs will ultimately be passed down to sheep farmers, who are in the weakest position of all to bear them. Sheep farmers simply cannot be expected to shoulder the extra burden of funding the disposal of sheep skins, especially since they do not receive any payment for the so-called fifth quarter.”

ICSA is calling on Minister McConalogue and his department officials to intervene and ensure that sheep farmers are not left to bear the brunt of this looming crisis. “We need urgent government action to prevent the financial burden from falling on farmers. A solution must be found to manage the disposal of sheep skins that does not leave sheep farmers worse off,” he said.

ENDS