The Irish Livestock and Sheep Breeding Association (ICSA) has warned that Irish sheep farmers will be "destroyed" if prices are cut from June 3 during the week.

Sean McNamara, chairman of the sheep association, said that farmers will not be able to withstand further price reductions in the near future.

“ICSA was protesting on this issue, and we met with Irish Country Meats on this issue. Our message is crystal clear: sheep farmers can no longer tolerate price cuts in the short and medium term.

The average income of sheep farmers in 2018 was 13,769 euros; This is 21% less than in the previous year. If a further decline in prices occurs in the coming week of June 3, we will be completely destroyed. We warned them, ”said McNamara.

McNamara also reminded farmers that as of June 1, all sheep leaving the farm should have an electronic identification tag (EID) and explained that “in their current form, lambs not labeled with EID will be sent home.

In recent months, the issue of EID labeling in Ireland has led to much discussion. Although farmers are required to have these tags, markets and factories do not have to have the necessary technology to read them.

Back in April, McNamara called this a “failed” project and said that the “controversial” initiative should be rejected and that farmers should be given back funds for “having to spend money” on tags.

“Farmers have no choice but the EID tag, and they bear these extra costs for no reason,” said the chairman of the sheep association.