Pat O’Donoghue,
beef farmer,
Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
“The report is probably manna from heaven for the Government in that they can wash their hands of the suckler herd. I can see how the idea of paying people to reduce stock numbers through CAP might work but how long will they keep those payments up? They have to understand as well that farming is a way of life for generations of people, it’s not just a business it’s a devotion. If Europe was really interested in cutting greenhouse gases, it would promote Irish beef and it’s low carbon footprint.”
Catherine Guest,
beef farmer,
Templemore, Co Tipperary
“Last week, we were told that the suckler herd has to be reduced by over 50% and I reckon there are a lot of small suckler farmers in this country who are actually enhancing the environment rather than damaging it.
“If those people reduce their herds by 50% the detrimental effect is going to be even worse, because what’s going to happen, I think, is a lot of those farms will be taken over by the dairy sector and you’re going to end up with a worse case than what we’re in as regards the environment.”
Patrick O’Reilly,
sheep and suckler farmer, Donard, Co Wicklow
“I think it’s absolutely crazy. The suckler farmer has been blamed for all of these emissions and you go up to the airport and see planes going out every minute. What emissions are they causing? There’s nothing about that.
“I’ve been building up my herd my whole life, I’m not going to reduce it now. Why should we? It’s our livelihood. Why should we suffer because of somebody else?”
John Dullea, suckler farmer, Co Cork
“There’s no doubt about it that we need to look at the impact we are having on the climate and things need to improve. But I think rather than simply getting rid of the suckler cow, we can do a lot more in terms of improving the cow type and making our beef systems more efficient. Reducing cows seems like a quick fix. As well as that, I can’t understand why beef is getting the blame and dairy is allowed to expand with seemingly no regulation.”
John Cormican, suckler farmer, Roscommon
“Yeah, I would reduce numbers [if the proposal became reality] because it would suit my system. I have suckler cows and I am using artificial insemination on them.
“But I have land away from the house and I would need a lot of store cattle for it. It would just be simpler for me to buy them.”
Padraic Divilly, suckler farmer, Galway
“I don’t think it should be compulsory in any way that anybody would have to reduce their stocking numbers. I think each farmer has to be able to make up his own mind as to what is the best for him or if he needs to change to another enterprise.
“But to put a compulsion on me or anybody else that you reduce your suckler herd I think it would be difficult for people to accept. There would be opposition.”
Pat O’Donoghue,
beef farmer,
Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
“The report is probably manna from heaven for the Government in that they can wash their hands of the suckler herd. I can see how the idea of paying people to reduce stock numbers through CAP might work but how long will they keep those payments up? They have to understand as well that farming is a way of life for generations of people, it’s not just a business it’s a devotion. If Europe was really interested in cutting greenhouse gases, it would promote Irish beef and it’s low carbon footprint.”
Catherine Guest,
beef farmer,
Templemore, Co Tipperary
“Last week, we were told that the suckler herd has to be reduced by over 50% and I reckon there are a lot of small suckler farmers in this country who are actually enhancing the environment rather than damaging it.
“If those people reduce their herds by 50% the detrimental effect is going to be even worse, because what’s going to happen, I think, is a lot of those farms will be taken over by the dairy sector and you’re going to end up with a worse case than what we’re in as regards the environment.”
Patrick O’Reilly,
sheep and suckler farmer, Donard, Co Wicklow
“I think it’s absolutely crazy. The suckler farmer has been blamed for all of these emissions and you go up to the airport and see planes going out every minute. What emissions are they causing? There’s nothing about that.
“I’ve been building up my herd my whole life, I’m not going to reduce it now. Why should we? It’s our livelihood. Why should we suffer because of somebody else?”
John Dullea, suckler farmer, Co Cork
“There’s no doubt about it that we need to look at the impact we are having on the climate and things need to improve. But I think rather than simply getting rid of the suckler cow, we can do a lot more in terms of improving the cow type and making our beef systems more efficient. Reducing cows seems like a quick fix. As well as that, I can’t understand why beef is getting the blame and dairy is allowed to expand with seemingly no regulation.”
John Cormican, suckler farmer, Roscommon
“Yeah, I would reduce numbers [if the proposal became reality] because it would suit my system. I have suckler cows and I am using artificial insemination on them.
“But I have land away from the house and I would need a lot of store cattle for it. It would just be simpler for me to buy them.”
Padraic Divilly, suckler farmer, Galway
“I don’t think it should be compulsory in any way that anybody would have to reduce their stocking numbers. I think each farmer has to be able to make up his own mind as to what is the best for him or if he needs to change to another enterprise.
“But to put a compulsion on me or anybody else that you reduce your suckler herd I think it would be difficult for people to accept. There would be opposition.”
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