Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to address a pressing concern I have that has the potential to reshape the very fabric of our rural communities. I refer to the question of who will farm the land if our sheep farmers, faced with a sectoral crisis and low incomes, decide to abandon their farms. Can the Minister imagine a future where the sheep farms that once dotted the picturesque countryside of my constituency in Mayo have vanished and been replaced with overgrown fields and abandoned homesteads? With each farm that closes its door, we lose not only a vital part of our agricultural industry but also the rich heritage and traditions passed down through generations. Our rural communities have been built on the hard work and resilience of our sheep farmers who have provided not only a livelihood for themselves and their families but also contributed significantly to the local national economy.

It is crucial, therefore, that we now take the necessary steps to address the challenges this sector is facing. We cannot stand idly by as this unfolds. It is our duty as local representatives to support our sheep farmers, ensure they can continue to contribute to our local economy and pass this knowledge and passion for their land on to future generations. The sector, especially at the primary sheep producer level, is in crisis. We must acknowledge this and time is running out. Many sheep producers I spoke to are grappling with increased production costs while prices for their products are continuing to fall. This precarious situation is unsustainable for new and existing farmers.

It is our responsibility, as representatives of the people, to implement policies and support measures that will help to alleviate this burden. I propose we address the inadequacies in the current sheep improvement scheme, which offers only €12 per ewe, to protect the economic viability of the sector. The amount is insufficient to provide the support our farmers need to maintain their livelihoods and to keep the sector alive. We must increase the financial aid to at least €25 per ewe through enhanced, directly targeted supports. This increased funding will ensure new entrants into sheep farming are provided with the opportunity to build their flocks while also supporting existing farmers in the sector.

In addition to these enhanced financial supports, it is essential we continue to invest in research and development to improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of the sheep farming sector by developing new, innovative solutions and by implementing best practices so we can help our farmers to overcome the challenges they face and ensure the long-term viability of this important industry. I also urge the Minister's Department and An Bord Bia to actively pursue new markets for our sheep products. I welcome the Minister's initial statements regarding this aspect. By increasing the demand for these high-quality products, we can help to stabilise prices and provide much-needed security for farmers.

We must recognise that the sheep farming sector is facing a crisis and time is running out. The departure of our sheep farmers would leave a void that would never truly be filled. New generations are reluctant to enter the industry, discouraged by the financial struggles and instability faced by their predecessors. The skills and knowledge honed over centuries of sheep farming in Mayo and other counties may be lost, to be replaced by an uncertain future for our rural landscape. It is our responsibility to address these challenges head on and to provide the necessary supports to keep this crucial economic component of our local economy alive and thriving. We need a package to help in this regard, and it is needed urgently. We saw how the pig sector thrived and bounced back when it received a lifeline in the form of a support package. We must, therefore, increase the financial aid provided by the sheep improvement scheme, invest in research and development and actively pursue new markets to ensure the future of our rural communities. The very fabric of our national identity depends on the success and resilience of our sheep farming sector.

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