Sheep welfare payments released, but more needed says the ICSA
AS Minister Creed announced €15m in advance payments under Year 3 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara said financial losses incurred by sheep farmers during 2019 must be reflected in an increased payment through the scheme, and he called for a BEAM type compensation scheme as well.
On Monday, The Minister confirmed the rate for the advance payment was again set at 85%, and confirmed that “The fourth year of the Scheme will be opening in the new year”.
Meanwhile, Mr McNamara said ICSA believes, at minimum, a payment of €15 per ewe must be facilitated. “This can be done through a bolt-on mechanism to the scheme,” he said.
said a BEAM type scheme for sheep is also required. “It’s not just the beef sector that’s been badly affected by the never-ending uncertainty of Brexit; the sheep sector has been severely hit with lower prices too. Most fit lambs were sold below the cost of production this year. It’s high time the financial losses of sheep farmers were acknowledged, and compensation provided.”
“Planning for this must begin immediately and these payments combined must amount to more that a token payment. Token payments will not keep the sheep sector viable,” he said.
Meanwhile, on Monday Minister Creed stated, “I am happy to confirm that a total of €15 million is today issuing to some 18,500 farmers participating in the Sheep Welfare Scheme, providing a significant financial boost to the individual farmers and the sheep sector in general.”
The Minister added “The scheme was introduced in order to further support the sustainability of the sheep sector and delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government in this regard.”
Minister Creed urged any farmers with outstanding queries to respond to the Department immediately in order to facilitate payment. The Minister concluded:
“The fourth year of the Scheme will be opening in the new year and my Department will be in contact with farmers shortly to advise them of this. At that stage, there will also be an opportunity for new entrants to the sector to join the scheme.”