It is fair to say the view from shareholders and farmers around the board of ICBF has hardened against farmers signing contracts if purchasing semen from New Zealand breeding company LIC.
It first emerged in late December that New Zealand breeding company Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) want signed legal contracts if purchasing LIC straws to restrict sales of bull calves to other AI companies.
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Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal following an ICBF board meeting this morning, ICBF Chairman Michael Doran said “there was a unanimous message from farmers and shareholders around the board table that no contracts should be signed, because farmers own the cows and they should not be restricted on what they decide to do with their offspring”.
It first emerged in late December that New Zealand breeding company Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) wanted signed legal contracts if purchasing LIC straws to restrict sales of bull calves to other AI companies. The board of the Irish Cattle Breeding Ferderation (ICBF) met for the second time today since the news became public, to consider what measures, if any, should be considered. Early next week the ICBF will inform farmers and the industry of any legal implications and their public stance on contracts.
There was some talk that a solution for both parties might be found in negotiations between LIC that is operating in partnership with Eurogene here in Ireland, but it now looks unlikely. Eurogene technicians and sales representatives will be charged with collecting the legal contracts once semen is purchased.
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ICBF funding
Another significant issue that has concerned the ICBF board for the last number of weeks has been the future funding model for the ICBF, following the option to allow farmers to tick or untick the ICBF levy box when ordering tags. While no formal solution has yet been found to the funding crisis industry, sources report a strong proposal akin to a statuatory levy.
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Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal following an ICBF board meeting this morning, ICBF Chairman Michael Doran said “there was a unanimous message from farmers and shareholders around the board table that no contracts should be signed, because farmers own the cows and they should not be restricted on what they decide to do with their offspring”.
It first emerged in late December that New Zealand breeding company Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) wanted signed legal contracts if purchasing LIC straws to restrict sales of bull calves to other AI companies. The board of the Irish Cattle Breeding Ferderation (ICBF) met for the second time today since the news became public, to consider what measures, if any, should be considered. Early next week the ICBF will inform farmers and the industry of any legal implications and their public stance on contracts.
There was some talk that a solution for both parties might be found in negotiations between LIC that is operating in partnership with Eurogene here in Ireland, but it now looks unlikely. Eurogene technicians and sales representatives will be charged with collecting the legal contracts once semen is purchased.
ICBF funding
Another significant issue that has concerned the ICBF board for the last number of weeks has been the future funding model for the ICBF, following the option to allow farmers to tick or untick the ICBF levy box when ordering tags. While no formal solution has yet been found to the funding crisis industry, sources report a strong proposal akin to a statuatory levy.
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