ICSA Sheep chair Sean McNamara has said the decision to allow an additional 38,000 tonnes of sheep meat into the EU from New Zealand is yet another blow to sheep farmers at a time when prices are falling rapidly. “This agreement can only be described as kicking sheep farmers when they are down. Our sheep farmers need better prices for their produce and greater financial supports not agreements that will make an already bad situation worse,” he said.

Mr McNamara was speaking following the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand. Under the terms of this agreement an additional 38,000 tonnes of duty free sheepmeat will be permitted to flow into the EU annually on top of the current 114,000 tonnes permitted.

 “This is the last thing Irish sheep farmers need. It makes no sense to allow this additional product to come in when we know the negative impact it will have on local suppliers. It is a disgrace that instead of trying to help sheep farmers, decision makers within the EU have decided to not only ignore the difficulties facing the sector but to also compound those difficulties.”