The lamb market continues to be ‘buoyant’ off the back of strong demand and factories are paying €6.20/6.30 for spring lambs, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey.

Some top prices of €6.35/kg are currently being paid. Hoggets are making €5.20 and ewes are in the range of between €2.60 and €2.85/kg, Lynskey added.

He encouraged farmers to “select lambs carefully and sell when fit”, adding that demand is strong with Ramadan beginning at the weekend. The mart trade is very good, with good-quality lambs making over €130.

The sheep chairman said there are also other positives in the market, with lamb skins making €4 compared to only €1 at around the same period in 2016.

On the Clean Sheep Policy, Lynskey said the IFA is scheduled to discuss the matter with the Department of Agriculture and Meat Industry Ireland (MII) next week.

He also said Irish Country Meats (ICM) is not applying any clipping charges on spring lambs. This was confirmed by ICM at a meeting with the IFA on sheep issues in Camolin Co. Wexford last week.

The Clean Sheep Policy is the three-category system in place to judge cleanliness of incoming sheep for slaughter based on categories A (satisfactory), B (acceptable) and C (unacceptable). The official policy document was finalised in February, but issues arose over the interpretation of the policy during the spring.

Also Read: Factories’ use of clean sheep policy is ‘contrary’ to Department’s policy

The Department of Agriculture has previously stressed the importance of the policy, noting: “Sending dirty sheep to slaughter increases the contamination risk from harmful bacteria. Dirty sheep risk our valuable sheep and fleece markets.”