Sheep farming in Mayo facing an uncertain future

Sheep farming in Mayo is facing an uncertain future, a TD has warned.

Deputy Rose Conway Walsh explained that more than 30% of the county has some level of environmental legislation, such as Natura, special areas of conservation, or natural heritage areas, NHAs.

It is because of this that sheep farming represents the only realistic option for many farmers - but all of those farmers are under pressure.

The Erris-based representative elaborated: "Sheep farmers in Mayo have in recent years endured the collapse of wool prices, rising input costs, and indeed Brexit.

"It is estimated that close to 75% of Mayo's sheep farmers, or around 4,000, are hill farmers.

"Around a quarter of the flocks in the county are lowland operations.

"However, making a living from hill and lowland sheep production is not easy as it is under severe threat.

"Sheep farmers have seen their net margins decrease from 81% to a paltry €7 per ewe.

"What that shows is that the direct payment farmers receive is being transferred to meat producers and supermarkets.

"Direct payments were created to ensure the security of our food supply and to provide a decent standard of living to farmers.

"When meat processors are allowed to drive down prices public money is redirected away from where it is intended and to corporate profits.

"Low prices also mean farmers are pushed into larger, more intensive practices to remain viable.

"The average farm in Mayo is just 22 ha and the average flock has just 82 ewes.

"The vast majority are completely organic but the model is in danger.

"While lowland farmers may have the option to change or combine farming enterprises, hill farmers cannot."