The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has dismissed negative Meat Industry Ireland (MII) outlooks for sheep markets as “scaremongering”.

ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara said processors were trying to “beat farmers into submission”.

“We see New Zealand lamb continues to be stocked in supermarkets and yet we are told there is minimal demand for Irish product. However, that does not equate with reports of supermarkets in Ireland and the UK running out of product,” McNamara said.

The bottom line which must be borne in mind is that farmers have worked very hard throughout the spring

Demand for lamb is usually strong coming into Easter, he said, and Ramadan from 23 April to 23 May would provide another lift to trade. On the European front, McNamara believed there could be pent-up demand for product when COVID-19 restrictions were eased.

Hoggets are scarce and spring lamb is a bit behind on a lot of farms after some hard weather according to the ICSA representative.

“The bottom line which must be borne in mind is that farmers have worked very hard throughout the spring and kept going during the COVID-19 crisis to keep supermarket shelves full.

“However, now more than ever, they should not be treated with complete contempt by processors and retailers. Farmers have to make a margin or else there just won’t be quality assured lamb in EU markets for much longer,” he concluded.