Calls have been made for meat factories to publish market data to back up claims the fifth quarter price is under pressure.
It comes as, in some cases, farmers selling cull cows have received a price as low as €1.12/kg according to figures from the Department of Agriculture. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has said there is a responsibility on meat processors to assist their suppliers through the extremely difficult drought period.
They have said the price paid to farmers does not reflect market returns that include an improved fifth quarter in recent years. Factories have claimed the fifth-quarter price has come under pressure.
ICSMA has now called on factories to produce the market data to back up this assertion and that “it is simply not good enough to make claims that are not backed up with facts”.
Des Morrision, chair of ICMSA livestock committee believes the meat plants should either amend the specification for cows or amend the penalties. He said, to provide meat plants with well-conditioned cattle for the rest of this year and into 2019, a level of destocking had to take place now and penalties being imposed were completely beyond reason.
IFA statement
Elsewhere, the IFA have called on Minister Michael Creed to deliver measures to help farmers on the ground. During a visit to drought-hit farms in the southeast today, president Joe Healy said: “As a matter of urgency, Minister Creed must now clarify what exact measures he has sought and is seeking from Brussels.”
In an announcement, EU commissioner Phil Hogan revealed a 70% advance payment of the BPS would be allowed along with relaxation of rules allowing more land to be used for feed production.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that no formal request has been submitted by Minister Creed for measures allowing flexibility for land under the GLAS scheme.
The IFA has also reiterated calls that the loan cost loans scheme of €150m must be implemented immediately to provide a source of liquidity.