Post-Brexit trends in the sheep price have been mostly positive for sheep farmers, according to the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

“The evidence in the two years immediately following the Brexit deal is that sheepmeat prices increased,” Minister McConalogue said this week.

“The sheepmeat price data published by my Department does not provide conclusive evidence that the sector has suffered any persistent adverse impact since the UK’s decision to withdraw from the EU - in fact, the overall price trend has been predominantly positive for primary producers during that period.”

The minister said sheep prices at the end of April were similar to 2021 and 2022 prices, with Department of Agriculture figures showing a “solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February”.

He did recognise that farmers are seeing “more difficult market conditions” than other years.

“However, it is heartening to see that markets are now returning consistently better prices for farmers than at the start of the year.”

CAP and BAR

The minister’s comments came in response to a question posed by leader of the Social Democrats Holly Cairns.

Cairns asked him if sheep farmers could be eligible for supports through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund.

Minister McConalogue reiterated that Government does not determine market prices in the sheep sector but argued that 2023’s new set of CAP supports have bolstered sheep farmers’ income.

“While market returns have reduced for sheep farmers, mainly because of increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that family farm income for specialised sheep farms in 2023 will be €19,500, a reduction of 2% on 2022,” the minister continued.

“This reflects the important role which direct payments play in supporting sheep farm incomes.”