€100 a cow plan to soften decoupling blow for suckler herds

By John Shirley

A plan that would deliver up to €100 a cow payment post-decoupling to suckler farmers, who traditionally sold unpunched weanlings, is being developed by the IFA. The funding will be sourced from the ‘Modulation' cash, earmarked for rural development and collected from cattle farmers once decoupling starts.

Dunnes Stores outlets were hit in every province yesterday (Wednesday) as dairy farmers attempted to take a stand against the retailer's new low prices for milk.

The package, proposed by IFA Livestock Committee Chairman Derek Deane to the IFA National Council this week, envisages that the Modulation cash would be targeted at the first 25 to 30 cows in herds that sold unpunched weanlings during the 2000/'02 reference period.

He estimated that the cattle sector will contribute at least €23 million in Modulation cash once the compulsory 5% reduction is reached.

With matching national funding, as recommended by Commissioner Franz Fischler at the Journal meeting in Goffs, this would provide €46 million a year for a rural development plan for a targeted group.

Derek Deane said that the IFA is now working on the details of a package that will be compatible with the guidelines for re-allocating the Modulation funds. This is likely to link the payment to quality beef production. Once the plan is finalised it will be submitted to Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh.

In recent weeks suckler farmers from the western counties who did not collect any Special Beef Premium from 2000/'02 have vented their anger at the prospect of a severe drop in income post-decoupling. The new IFA proposal, if adopted, should go some way towards correcting this drop.

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