ICSA Sheep chair Willie Shaw has called on the Department of Agriculture to show flexibility regarding the deadline for completing actions under the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS).

"While today (15th Oct) is the final day for farmers to complete selected actions under the scheme, many farmers have struggled to source both vaccines and suitable sheep dip on time. As a result, we are very concerned that farmers may be unfairly penalised through no fault of their own, and we are urging the Department to show flexibility in the interest of fairness," he said.

 The NSWS provides a payment of €8 per ewe to sheep farmers who complete two mandatory actions—one from Category A and one from Category B. However, Mr Shaw said both Category B options are currently causing difficulties. "Many sheep farmers who opted for the clostridial vaccination option under Category B have been unable to access vaccines due to widespread supply shortages. ICSA understands that normal supply of these vaccines will not resume until mid to late December.

 Additionally, the other Category B option – plunge dipping – is also causing problems for organic sheep farmers, as the only sheep dip suitable for their stock is in extremely scarce supply and will not be readily available for at least another month."

 "We are asking the Department to extend the deadline to provide some leeway for farmers who are facing these unavoidable shortages. It is vital that farmers who have made every effort to comply with the scheme are not unfairly penalised because of circumstances beyond their control. We need flexibility on this issue to ensure no sheep farmer misses out on this important payment."