The plight of sheep farmers has been raised the Rural Independent Dáil Group. Sheep farmers have suffered due to Brexit and need a financial aid package according the Rural Independents led by Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath.
The decline in the value of sterling has led to an influx of UK lamb into the European markets, causing stagnation for the price of Irish lamb. Deputy Mattie McGrath is asking that the Government use some of the funds made available to Ireland via the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund to support sheep farmers with a proposed payment of €30 per head of sheep back dated to Jan 1st this year.
Ireland, as the Member State most affected, has received a significant allocation of over €1 billion, or just over 20% of the entire Reserve to provide support for sectors or regions adversely affected by the UK decision to leave the EU.
Deputy McGrath is also concerned that Ireland will not fully utilise the funding made available and accuses Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue of being out of touch with the challenges faced by sheep farmers.
