Over the last few weeks, the protests at meat factories in the Republic of Ireland have received a lot of media attention, and caused some significant disruption to the Irish beef and lamb kill.

Given the current prices being paid for both beef and lamb across these islands, the frustration of farmers is understandable.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to the unsustainable prices being paid at present – ultimately, only when demand moves ahead of supply will returns improve for farmers.

In the meantime, it is inevitable that suckler cow numbers are coming under pressure in NI, and it would be perverse if the opposite was the case.

However, given that nearly 60% of all farms in NI have suckler cows, the industry is still the backbone of the rural economy. On many farms, especially in more marginal areas, the options outside of keeping sucklers are very limited.

The industry must take a clear position on a future headage payment

In light of the current situation facing sucklers, surely it is time that farming leaders and processors in NI came together to discuss what might be done to try to avert any further decline in the industry.

Without a clear plan there is a danger that the lack of action is giving the impression that no-one particularly cares.

Everything should be on the table. The industry must take a clear position on a future headage payment – should it be similar to that in Scotland, which is based on the calf produced.

Also, how can NI promote our beef and capture more value in the market – should we concentrate much more on traditional breeds? When it comes to pricing cattle, is it time to consider paying farmers for the actual yield of meat produced?

Of course, given the current concerns around Brexit, it is getting all the attention at present.

However, we should take action now, as by the time Brexit finally gets resolved, there might be no industry left to save.

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