Sheep Farmers Need 30c/kg Premium for Quality Assurance

Sheep farmers are demanding a worthwhile premium of 30c/kg for Quality Assurance according to IFA National Sheep Chairman, Sean Dennehy.

Sean Dennehy was speaking after a meeting of the IFA National Sheep Committee with Declan Fennell, Lamb manager with Bord Bia.

“Members of the National Sheep Committee were very clear. If the factories want Quality Assured lamb, they must pay a reasonable reward for it, which covers the time and work input of the farmer and also reflect a premium from the market.”

Sean Dennehy said the factories have dragged their heels on Quality Assurance, with minimal reward or return to the farmer. He said farmers are not prepared to do all the work but not be properly rewarded for Quality Assurance.

Committee members also told Bord Bia that the Quality Assurance inspectors must adopt a reasonable farmer friendly, practical approach at farm audits.

Sean Dennehy said sheep farmers are disappointed with lamb prices and extremely frustrated and angry with the way factories and retailers have taken additional margin out of the price at the cost of the primary producer.