![]() Young farmers will not entertain an unviable business,” the TD warned. They will just sell them off and get out. ![]() We will find farmers will leave the sheep behind them. “This is a survival cry from the farmers. It is important that this is not about crying wolf. “A €50 million support scheme is required if we are to show respect for the sheep farmers in this country and for their families. The Independent TD for East Galway, Seán Canney, also warned that it was now “an issue of survival” for some sheep farmers. “Sheep farmers are basically running just to stand still,” Deputy Cairns said. The new Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) increased the payment rate by €2/ewe, from €10-12 – but that €2 was straight away already eaten up with rising costs from shearing to vaccines. “His solution in the budget was just inadequate for the pressure farmers are facing. “The minister has been aware of the situation since taking office and he knows how difficult it is for sheep farmers right now. The leader of the Social Democrats and party spokesperson on agriculture, Holly Cairns, told the minister there was “a pressing and clear need for an intervention package, including direct payments and the acceleration of plans to develop the wool industry”. Minister Charlie McConalogue came under fire in the Dáil this week as he heard how sheep farmers are in the “eye of the perfect storm”. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been challenged by political opponents to explain “what the government is going to do” as sheep farmers are running to “stand still”. ![]()
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