The importance of retaining sheep numbers in hill areas in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain has been emphasised by leading UK-based sheep farmers.

According to Rob Rennie, from Kelso in Scotland. who judged the sheep classes at this year’s Omagh Show: “Sheep add so much to the economy of rural areas, both from a production and environmental protection perspective.

“It is also important that government support for sheep reflects the key role these animals must play in hill and upland areas.

“In Scotland at the moment, I believe that we are losing too much hill grazing land to forestry.”

Co. Antrim EasyCare sheep breeder, Campbell Tweed agrees that sheep numbers must be encouraged in upland areas.

He told Agriland: “The need to deliver additional support for sheep is obvious.

“And there are mechanisms through which Stormont and the Westminster government can make this available. These options must be explored.

“With regard to the actual monies required, sheep farmers in Northern Ireland need parity with the measures already available south of the border. This works out at approximately £20/ewe.”

NI Sheep Taskforce

Tweed represents both the Ulster Farmers Union and the National Sheep Association (NSA) on Northern Ireland’s Sheep Taskforce.

The grouping met recently with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA’s) policy division to discuss future support policy for sheep.

This was the first in a series of meetings that will be held over the coming weeks.

Tweed added: “There are a number of steps that can be taken to quickly reflect the support needs of the sheep sector.

“One of these is the full recognition of sheep grazing systems within future environmental schemes.

“Grazing livestock have a key role to play in maintaining and improving the hill and upland environment.

“Recent years have seen our hill areas more predisposed to fire risks. In part, this is because sheep have not been allowed to graze down rougher vegetation during the winter months.”

Tweed also highlighted that tick-borne diseases are ‘becoming more prevalent in both animals and humans”.

“Louping Ill is now a growing challenge within sheep flocks while reported instances of Lyme disease in human are on the rise,” Tweed said.

“Both of these issues can be significantly attributed to poor vegetation control, matters that can be directly addressed if the decision is taken to include sheep within future environmental schemes.”

In principle, Campbell Tweed wants sheep to be included within Northern Ireland’s  Ruminant Genetics’ Programme.

He said; “This issue has been agreed to in principle. It’s a matter of coming up with the correct delivery vehicle.”

FORESTRY GENOMICS NORTHERN IRELAND] SCOTLAND