Shoppers urged to support NI sheep farmers

Local shoppers have been asked to break out the mint sauce and enjoy home-grown lamb this week to help struggling NI sheep farmers.

Sheep farmers are currently facing a double-whammy of shrinking milk profits and the lowest lamb prices for six years, prompting Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) beef and lamb chairman, Crosby Cleland, to urge consumers to show their support.

Calling on local consumers to buy Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured lamb, Mr Cleland said the collapse in the value of the euro has had a “devastating impact” on meat exports, leading to unsustainable prices for local sheep producers.

“With so much pressure on our export trade, this makes the home market all the more important, so we need strong support from both the retailers and Northern Ireland shoppers,” he said.

According to the UFU spokesperson, the problem for local producers has been exacerbated by retailers keeping high levels of New Zealand lamb on their shelves during the UK lamb season.

“This has created additional price pressure for local farmers and I would encourage all shoppers to keep a close eye out for Northern Ireland Farmer Quality Assured lamb,” he said.

Income from this year’s lamb crop has plunged by 20 per cent compared to last year, leaving many of the 9,000 sheep producing farms in a loss-making situation.

Mr Cleland said many farming families had worked hard throughout the year, and have been crushed by the collapse in value of their product.

“Without sheep production and the land management skills of farmers the rural countryside we all admire and enjoy would just not be the same,” he added. “This highlights the importance of support for local lamb production, so I would urge consumers to buy Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured lamb.

“When they do so they are showing their support for local jobs, the local economy and the rural environment.”