The reduction in the suckler cow herd cannot be accepted, what tonnage will the €100m Brexit beef fund cover and will dairy-bred prime cattle be included were some of the views at the IFA's eighth and final consultation meeting on how the €100m Brexit fund should be distributed.
The meeting took place in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on Thursday evening.
The IFA Ulster/north Leinster regional chair Nigel Renaghan chaired the meeting in the absence of president Joe Healy and national livestock chair Angus Woods.
Both had intended on being present, but had to send apologies and travel to Brussels where momentum is building for a Mercosur trade deal next week.
Renaghan and Kevin Kinsella provided a detailed update on the worrying progress of Mercosur discussions during the meeting.
Views and questions
The chair then opened the meeting to the floor to farmers for questions and contributions, of which there were many from the 200 attendance. These included:
Rushe Davison: The reduction in the suckler cow herd cannot be accepted, dairy farms got similar money in 2015 but reduction didn’t happen, bull finishers have lost serious money in particular – up to €250/head. Milk is increasing and sucklers are being squeezed out.John McColgan: What tonnage will the €100m cover and how much per kilo will it be worth?Eddie Carberry: The problem is too many Friesian calves, we need to cull Friesian calves.Mabel Russell: What criteria were discussed in the negotiation for the fund?Jason McGeehan: The €100m is welcome, but will the same happen again and another €100m be available next year? Enda McDermott: Will there be an administration cost and will dairy-bred prime cattle be included?Michael Lavery: Will suckler farmers be covered and were politicians invited to this meeting?
Robert Thornton: The 23 March cut-off date is no use to Donegal.Donal Logue: What is the IFA position on factory feedlots?James O’Donnell: Everything north of the Dublin-Galway line is closing down – schools, banks, post offices, etc, only a matter of time until dairy farmers have a problem as well. Ian Maxwell: Will suckler-bred cows be included in the scheme?Robin Craig: Was there a difference in weanling prices between 2017 and 2018?Response
Kevin Kinsella responded to the points made, emphasising that the date for cut-off had to be decided and this was part of the consultation.
He also referenced the Irish Farmers Journal weanling price study and emphasised that any comparison had to be before the Brexit vote in 2016 and after.
He concluded by assuring the audience that their comments would be added to his folder from the other regional meetings and be included in IFA deliberations.
He also pointed out that with the regulation passed in Brussels that day, payment could be immediate, but likely to be September, allowing for the Department’s application, which will be made before end of July.
The cut-off date for payments will be 31 May 2020, he said.
Read more
Weanling prices fell up to €97/head from Brexit uncertainty
€100m beef fund payment options explored by farmers
The reduction in the suckler cow herd cannot be accepted, what tonnage will the €100m Brexit beef fund cover and will dairy-bred prime cattle be included were some of the views at the IFA's eighth and final consultation meeting on how the €100m Brexit fund should be distributed.
The meeting took place in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on Thursday evening.
The IFA Ulster/north Leinster regional chair Nigel Renaghan chaired the meeting in the absence of president Joe Healy and national livestock chair Angus Woods.
Both had intended on being present, but had to send apologies and travel to Brussels where momentum is building for a Mercosur trade deal next week.
Renaghan and Kevin Kinsella provided a detailed update on the worrying progress of Mercosur discussions during the meeting.
Views and questions
The chair then opened the meeting to the floor to farmers for questions and contributions, of which there were many from the 200 attendance. These included:
Rushe Davison: The reduction in the suckler cow herd cannot be accepted, dairy farms got similar money in 2015 but reduction didn’t happen, bull finishers have lost serious money in particular – up to €250/head. Milk is increasing and sucklers are being squeezed out.John McColgan: What tonnage will the €100m cover and how much per kilo will it be worth?Eddie Carberry: The problem is too many Friesian calves, we need to cull Friesian calves.Mabel Russell: What criteria were discussed in the negotiation for the fund?Jason McGeehan: The €100m is welcome, but will the same happen again and another €100m be available next year? Enda McDermott: Will there be an administration cost and will dairy-bred prime cattle be included?Michael Lavery: Will suckler farmers be covered and were politicians invited to this meeting? Robert Thornton: The 23 March cut-off date is no use to Donegal.Donal Logue: What is the IFA position on factory feedlots?James O’Donnell: Everything north of the Dublin-Galway line is closing down – schools, banks, post offices, etc, only a matter of time until dairy farmers have a problem as well. Ian Maxwell: Will suckler-bred cows be included in the scheme?Robin Craig: Was there a difference in weanling prices between 2017 and 2018?Response
Kevin Kinsella responded to the points made, emphasising that the date for cut-off had to be decided and this was part of the consultation.
He also referenced the Irish Farmers Journal weanling price study and emphasised that any comparison had to be before the Brexit vote in 2016 and after.
He concluded by assuring the audience that their comments would be added to his folder from the other regional meetings and be included in IFA deliberations.
He also pointed out that with the regulation passed in Brussels that day, payment could be immediate, but likely to be September, allowing for the Department’s application, which will be made before end of July.
The cut-off date for payments will be 31 May 2020, he said.
Read more
Weanling prices fell up to €97/head from Brexit uncertainty
€100m beef fund payment options explored by farmers
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