ICSA Sectors

ICSA is committed to representing the interests of Irish sheep farmers with strength and clarity at both national and EU level.

While the long-term decline in the national flock has shown signs of stabilising in recent years, the sector remains fragile. Sustaining and rebuilding sheep production depends on delivering viable incomes and creating a clear pathway for generational renewal. Without this, the sector will struggle to attract and retain young, progressive farmers.

ICSA believes that any growth in production must be market-led and aligned with real demand across key export markets, particularly in the UK and EU. Increasing output without improving returns to farmers risks further undermining the sector.

A major concern for sheep farmers continues to be factory specifications, including restrictive upper weight limits, which significantly impact profitability. These practices, combined with ongoing price pressure, mean many farmers are failing to cover their cost of production.

Despite the importance of the sector to rural economies and to the management of more marginal land, sheep farming continues to lack the policy focus it requires. ICSA is clear that the sector must receive greater recognition and targeted support to ensure its long-term viability.

Transparency and fairness along the food chain are also critical. ICSA is committed to engaging constructively with the Agri-Food Regulator to ensure full oversight of the sheep meat sector, including the impact of imported lamb on domestic markets. It is essential that greater transparency is delivered so that the distribution of value along the supply chain is clear, and that sheep farmers receive a fair and sustainable return for their work.

A central priority is securing a fairer distribution of CAP funding. ICSA is clear that farmers in these sectors must receive a significantly greater share of supports, reflecting both their economic vulnerability and their essential role in sustaining rural Ireland. This requires a properly ringfenced CAP budget that protects direct farm supports and ensures they are not diluted or diverted away from active farmers.

ICSA also believes that environmental and climate ambitions must be supported by separate, additional funding streams, rather than being financed at the expense of farm incomes. Farmers cannot be expected to deliver more with less. Any new measures must be practical, targeted, and grounded in the realities of farming on the ground.

In relation to nature restoration, ICSA has been clear that success will depend entirely on the availability of long-term, secure and ringfenced funding. Farmers are already under significant pressure, and participation in restoration measures will only happen where there is confidence that funding is guaranteed for the long term and reflects the scale of change being asked.

Nature restoration is not a short-term initiative. It requires lasting changes to how land is farmed, and farmers will not commit to this level of change on the basis of short-term schemes or uncertain funding. The approach must be built on long-term commitments, with appropriate flexibility and clear, workable exit options.

More broadly, ICSA continues to advocate for policies that support the sustainability of rural communities, recognising the economic and social pressures facing farm families and the importance of maintaining a vibrant rural population.

The organics sector has benefited from increased investment under the current CAP, reflecting ambitious national and EU targets for land under organic production. However, ICSA is clear that funding alone is not enough. A strong and coordinated approach to the marketing and promotion of Irish organic produce is essential to ensure that farmers receive the price premiums needed to justify the additional costs and challenges associated with organic farming.

ICSA continues to support the expansion of the sector, particularly among cattle and sheep farmers. Achieving organic targets will depend on making the system workable and financially viable for drystock farmers, many of whom are well placed to transition but require greater certainty around returns. Without functioning markets and fair prices, uptake will remain limited.

Education, training and advisory supports are also critical. If Ireland is to meet its organic farming targets, Teagasc must play a central role by significantly increasing resources dedicated to organic research, knowledge transfer, and on-the-ground advisory services. Farmers need access to practical, farm-specific guidance to successfully convert and operate within the system.

ICSA also believes that elements of the Organics Scheme must be kept under ongoing review to ensure they do not create unnecessary barriers to entry. In particular, requirements around housing and feeding systems must reflect the realities on drystock farms. Practical and flexible solutions are needed to allow more farmers to participate without facing prohibitive costs.