Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has called on the Minister for Agriculture to deliver much-needed supports for the sheep sector.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Kerrane raised the matter with the Tánaiste and urged Minister Charlie McConalogue to engage with the sector around ongoing concerns.
Her call followed a protest by the ICSA and sheep farmers last week outside the Dáil.
The Sinn Féin TD said that sheep farmers across the state are experiencing real financial hardship.
“I spoke to a number of sheep farmers who were outside the Dáil this week. They came here seeking action from government and to raise awareness about the issues they are facing and to save their sector,” she said.
Deputy Kerrane said that they have called the €12 a ewe “an insult”, and she said that this €2 increase does not come near to the doubling of the payment to €20 which was proposed by her party.
“It is particularly notable that the ICSA are seeking an emergency package for sheep farmers funded from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.”
She said that farmers are simply not getting a fair price for their produce and that they need greater support immediately.
