The Irish Farmers Association’s sheep welfare policy proposal has progressed “very positively” with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, according to IFA sheep chair Seán Dennehy. “Following meetings with both the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the leader of Fianna Fáil Michéal Martin at the IFA AGM this week, both parties have committed to the IFA policy to increase the Sheep Welfare Scheme from €10 to €15 per ewe,” he said.
The Irish Farmers Association’s sheep welfare policy proposal has progressed “very positively” with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, according to IFA sheep chair Seán Dennehy.
“Following meetings with both the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the leader of Fianna Fáil Michéal Martin at the IFA AGM this week, both parties have committed to the IFA policy to increase the Sheep Welfare Scheme from €10 to €15 per ewe,” he said.
Dennehy added that the association wants to build on the commitments and push for direct supports of €30 per ewe. This would come from a combination of CAP and national funding.
Output value of €450m
“Sheep farming is the second-largest farming enterprise in terms of farmer numbers, with 34,000 flock owners, and is particularly important in mountain and hill areas.
"The sheep sector has an output value of up to €450m, with exports of 54,809t to 35 different countries, worth €294m in 2019,” said Dennehy.
He said the sheep committee is undertaking an intensive lobby of all political candidates in every constituency before the general election.
“No politician will be left in any doubt as to the supports the sheep sector needs from the next government.”
The key proposals on sheep
A targeted direct payment of €30 per ewe for sheep farmers from a combination of CAP and national funding. This would include a roll-over and increase in the Sheep Welfare Scheme to €15 per ewe and CAP Pillar II funding.On EID tagging, a rollover of the €100 funding per farmer for the cost of tagging for the next three years, increased grant aid for electronic readers and a single tag for the sale of finished lambs in the marts.Abolish all non-statutory levies associated with scrapie, SRM charges and clipping charges.The ongoing problem with dog attacks must be tackled through a properly funded dog warden service, implementation of micro-chipping of all dogs and one central government data base. Read more
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