Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed the opening of a new National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS). The scheme, introduced under Budget 2024, will operate with a budget of €15m.
The scheme launched today is in addition to the multi-annual Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan until 2027.
Senator McGreehan has previously engaged with her party colleague, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, on supports for the sheep sector and the SIS, stressing that the payment of €12 per ewe was too low.
Senator McGreehan said: “With the opening of the NSWS today, combined with the SIS payments, there will be a payment equivalent to €20 per ewe in 2024. This means the sheep payment has doubled from 2022 and is the highest payment ever provided to enhance animal health and welfare of the vitally important sheep sector.
“I have engaged with the Minister repeatedly on this, particularly in the leadup to the Budget. Costs on sheep farms have drastically increased in recent years. The increased payments will make a tangible difference for farm families in the hugely important sheep sector across the country and locally here in Louth.
“We must continue to encourage, protect and support sheep farmers as a priority. The sector has too often been an afterthought despite its importance so continued supports like increased payments are to be welcomed.”
Scheme applications, which must be submitted before 23.59 on 21 May 2024, can be made by a farmer or an approved FAS advisor acting on their behalf using the online facility at www.agfood.ie.
