MP warns of crisis in sheep farming (From Gazette & Herald)

MP Anne McIntosh warns of crisis in sheep farming

9:15am Monday 18th February 2013 in News

SHEEP farmers are in “deep crisis” across the north of England and are in danger of going to the wall, an MP has warned.

Anne McIntosh, the Thirsk and Malton MP, raised the alarm over the fate of farmers who were victims of bad weather and plunging prices.

During a Commons debate, the MP said: “In my constituency, we face a deep crisis in the sheep sector. Across the north of England, and I am sure in many other parts of the country, there is a real fear of sheep producers going to the wall.

“Most farmers have used their winter storage, but are unable to allow sheep to forage because the grass is under snow or deep under water. This is a very worrying development.

“Farm gate prices have gone down and the costs of farm production have gone up. The cost of foodstuffs is going up, the cost of fuel to take animals to market has gone up, and farm gate prices are going down.”