Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that response. I was speaking with a farmer in the Minister's constituency who told me he was offered €20 for one dozen bags of wool. This tells us how stark the problem is. He indicated that he was relieved not to be charged for having the wool removed. It is very important that this work continues.

On the sheep welfare scheme, I thought it was a simple enough process to amend that scheme to include clipping sheep as an additional measure that would bring even a small income to farmers and would be in the interest of animal welfare. Has the Minister given such a measure any consideration as a feasible option? As with beef and any other sector, we need to try to ensure there is stability as well as sustainability in prices and markets. No sector wants a situation of extreme price volatility one way or another. That does not allow farmers to plan. All of these things need to be taken in the round.

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