Independent MEP Marian Harkin raised the issue when she questioned the "relative strength of the influence" of dairy farmers in the European Union compared with that beef and sheep producers.

On Wednesday 09 December, the government announced it would match the €13.7m income support provided by the EU in September for dairy and pig farmers, bringing the total package to €27.4m. All dairy farmers will receive a flat payment of €1,350 under the income support package, while young dairy farmers will get a second €800 top-up, bringing their total support to €2,150.

"Nobody can begrudge the payment to Ireland’s 18,000 dairy farmers", she said, "but other livestock producers who number over 100,000 must wonder what it takes to have their low incomes better recognised in national and EU polices."

Harkin referred to Teagasc's forecast for the farming sector for 2016 which indicates an increase in milk prices and a reduction in beef returns for the coming year. "This, once again, indicates the income pressure on livestock producers”, Harkin said.

"Furthermore," she added, "we have the situation where there is a significant underspend of €17 million for 2015 alone in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, which reflects the requirements and complexity of the scheme.”

The MEP said the measures introduced by the Belgian and French governments to mitigate the impact of price volatility and assist livestock farmers in 2015 should provide an example for the Irish government.

“The Minister for Agriculture and the government should recognise the huge export value of Ireland’s livestock sector and play fair in the distribution of any financial supports to Ireland’s farmers,” she said.

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Dairy farmers welcome top-up payment