Larger CAP payments should be redistributed to those who need them most, farmers at the Beef Plan Movement meeting in Caherciveen were told.
Tim O’Sullivan, suckler farmer and opening speaker of the event on Monday night, said a limit should be placed on “exorbitant payments”.
“The majority of the farmers in south Kerry would benefit if a cap was placed on those payments, somewhere in the region of the average industrial wage. Then the smaller farmers would actually see a tangible benefit in their own payments,” O’Sullivan said.
The average industrial wage is just over €36,500.
Bord Bia and feedlots, among others, came in for criticism during the three-hour meeting.
However, Iveragh Co-op mart manager Mike Kissane cautioned the crowd of just over 200 about tarring all feedlots with the one brush.
“All feedlots can’t be categorised the same way,” he said, reminding those present how farmers with feedlot status had provided an outlet for south Kerry farmers who had difficulties with TB.
“This time last year, TB was blown out of proportion in south Kerry and we were very glad of those farmers who had feedlot status,” he said.
“Feedlots have a place to play in the whole system. It’s completely different from factory feedlots.”
Read more
Beef Plan Movement and factories clash on feedlots
Concern and frustration engulfs suckling in Kerry
Larger CAP payments should be redistributed to those who need them most, farmers at the Beef Plan Movement meeting in Caherciveen were told.
Tim O’Sullivan, suckler farmer and opening speaker of the event on Monday night, said a limit should be placed on “exorbitant payments”.
“The majority of the farmers in south Kerry would benefit if a cap was placed on those payments, somewhere in the region of the average industrial wage. Then the smaller farmers would actually see a tangible benefit in their own payments,” O’Sullivan said.
The average industrial wage is just over €36,500.
Bord Bia and feedlots, among others, came in for criticism during the three-hour meeting.
However, Iveragh Co-op mart manager Mike Kissane cautioned the crowd of just over 200 about tarring all feedlots with the one brush.
“All feedlots can’t be categorised the same way,” he said, reminding those present how farmers with feedlot status had provided an outlet for south Kerry farmers who had difficulties with TB.
“This time last year, TB was blown out of proportion in south Kerry and we were very glad of those farmers who had feedlot status,” he said.
“Feedlots have a place to play in the whole system. It’s completely different from factory feedlots.”
Read more
Beef Plan Movement and factories clash on feedlots
Concern and frustration engulfs suckling in Kerry
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