At the end of last week, we presented European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan with over 44,000 signatures from Irish farmers and rural businesses, calling for measures to be put in place to protect the suckler herd. With a focus on the need to protect the interests of farmers in ongoing trade deal discussions, Christian Burgsmuller from European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström's cabinet was also in attendance and saw first-hand just how important the beef sector is to rural Ireland.
In accepting the signatures, Commissioner Hogan acknowledged the sector’s importance. He was also quick to highlight the tools available in the EU, such as voluntary coupled support, to allow member states to protect sensitive areas such as the suckler cow, which he acknowledged requires targeted support.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be the same commitment at national level to support the suckler sector. Recent comments by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed clearly indicate that the Government sees any support for the suckler herd as adding to Ireland’s already challenging climate change obligations, reaffirming the view among many that resistance to introducing a targeted suckler payment reflects a policy position within Government that a declining suckler herd is a necessity to offset the growth in dairy cow numbers.
Given the profitability void between two sectors, it is easy to see how this position could be reached from behind a desk. However, such a conclusion ignores the important role the suckler cow plays as an economic generator in towns and villages – and indeed the limitations that land quality and fragmentation present to dairy expansion.
There is little point in living in a fool’s paradise: without a targeted support payment, even the most efficient suckler farmers will slowly exit the business
With an IFA/UCD study showing each €1 in support invested in the beef sector underpins €4 in output in the Irish economy, the Government should be under no illusion as to the economic impact the demise of the suckler herd would have on rural communities and the environmental impact associated with the inevitable abandonment of marginal land.
Ultimately, the suckler sector in Ireland is at a crossroads at which it can go in one of three directions. Continue on the current path and we will see the sector grind to a slow death. There is little point in living in a fool’s paradise: without a targeted support payment, even the most technically efficient suckler farmers will slowly exit the business. This is a fact recognised across the EU.
Ireland is one of only four member states not targeting funds towards the beef sector though the voluntary coupled support mechanism highlighted by Commissioner Hogan. In total, €1.7bn is targeted at the beef and veal sector through coupled payments in 24 member states each year, delivering €100-200 per cow. In contrast, as analysis by Adam Woods showed recently, support payments on suckler farms in Ireland have declined by €177 per cow in the past decade.
An alternative route is for the Government to be up front on where the suckler cow fits into its climate strategy. If the national suckler herd is viewed as an economic liability in climate calculations, as many suspect, then this should be made clear to farmers through an incentivised culling scheme. However unpalatable this may be, it is better than simply grinding the sector to a slow death.
The third and preferred route is where the Government recognises the environmental and economic dividend from maintaining a vibrant suckler herd – including its ability to turn a rough fibre source into a luxury meat protein, close links with the tourism sector and benefits for the economy in regions where alternative employment is limited.
While going this route would require a targeted payment, the climate change challenges cannot be ignored. Any payment or scheme should not be delivered through a scatter-gun approach and should only be available to farmers committed to adopting measures that improve the environmental and economic sustainability of their herd. Linking payment to calves per cow per year, age at first calving and age at slaughter would make a huge contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of our beef as well as maximising farm profitability.
It is time for Government to present its vision for the national suckler herd. Either it recognises its wider value to the rural economy through investment in the upcoming budget and as part of the next CAP reform, or it acknowledges that it sees it as an economic liability in the context of climate change and provides a proper exit strategy for farmers.
Sitting back as the sector grinds to a slow death serves no one’s interests.
Brexit: as farce continues, Government plans should be revealed
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD with UK prime minister Theresa May in Downing Street. \ Martin James Burton
The twists and turns in the UK Conservative party and the rapid passing of time towards the UK’s exit deadline of 29 March 2019 means the possibility of a hard or no-deal Brexit continues to grow.
For farmers in Ireland and Northern Ireland, this would create a crisis unlike anything we have ever experienced before.
We have repeatedly emphasised the need for a contingency plan to deal with this and An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in his interview in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal referenced the need for transition funds if the worst-case scenario comes to pass.
In this worst-case scenario, EU emergency purchases and export refunds would also be needed.
While governments like to keep their plans for worst-case scenarios low key and close to their chest, the time has now arrived for farmers to be told what will be in place after Brexit should the need arise so that they can plan accordingly.
Decisions will soon be made on farms all over Ireland on plans for feeding cattle for next winter.
Farmers need to know that there will be an outlet for them before making the investment in buying and feeding cattle.
Farm Safety Week: staying safe on the farm has to be a year-round priority
We cannot get away from the real dangers associated with farming. Even with a heightened focus during Farm Safety Week, we learned of a number of serious accidents over the past few days – our deepest sympathies go out to all the families and communities affected.
With machinery, livestock, time pressure, age profile and our family farm model, it is difficult to eliminate the risks. However, as outlined in our Focus supplement, they can be reduced through planning. We would like to thank those who gave first-hand accounts as to the impact a farm-related accident can have. We encourage all our readers to sit down as a family this week and discuss farm safety and make a commitment to each other to farm safely every week.
Meanwhile, it is positive to see the IFA appoint a health and safety officer on to its executive team.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed promoting Irish beef on the Government trade mission to China.
As Phelim O’Neill reports, shipments of Irish beef have arrived in China with significant volumes due to be shipped in the coming weeks.
The news will bring little cheer to farmers currently slaughtering cattle with factories having pulled prime cattle prices by €50 per head. A surge in cow slaughterings in the drought conditions has been blamed for price pressure, but as we report, the increase in poor quality cows coming into the system is not significant in the context of the national kill. It raises the question as to why, having invested huge amounts of State resources in reopening the China market, we are allowing the potential to be harvested exclusively by a small number of private meat companies. Matt Dempsey raises this point and asks why Bord Bia cannot take a more active role to ensure the value created is passed back to the primary producer.
Discounted milk: iIt’s time for action
Milk is being sold for 65c/l in some supermarkets. As Eoin Lowry reports, retailers continue to squeeze the price to levels that are unsustainable. Is it time for the Government to introduce minimum pricing for liquid milk similar to the measure proposed for alcohol?
Read more
Farmer Writes: what is the future for the Irish family farm?
Commissioner Hogan acknowledges suckler cow needs support
At the end of last week, we presented European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan with over 44,000 signatures from Irish farmers and rural businesses, calling for measures to be put in place to protect the suckler herd. With a focus on the need to protect the interests of farmers in ongoing trade deal discussions, Christian Burgsmuller from European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström's cabinet was also in attendance and saw first-hand just how important the beef sector is to rural Ireland.
In accepting the signatures, Commissioner Hogan acknowledged the sector’s importance. He was also quick to highlight the tools available in the EU, such as voluntary coupled support, to allow member states to protect sensitive areas such as the suckler cow, which he acknowledged requires targeted support.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be the same commitment at national level to support the suckler sector. Recent comments by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed clearly indicate that the Government sees any support for the suckler herd as adding to Ireland’s already challenging climate change obligations, reaffirming the view among many that resistance to introducing a targeted suckler payment reflects a policy position within Government that a declining suckler herd is a necessity to offset the growth in dairy cow numbers.
Given the profitability void between two sectors, it is easy to see how this position could be reached from behind a desk. However, such a conclusion ignores the important role the suckler cow plays as an economic generator in towns and villages – and indeed the limitations that land quality and fragmentation present to dairy expansion.
There is little point in living in a fool’s paradise: without a targeted support payment, even the most efficient suckler farmers will slowly exit the business
With an IFA/UCD study showing each €1 in support invested in the beef sector underpins €4 in output in the Irish economy, the Government should be under no illusion as to the economic impact the demise of the suckler herd would have on rural communities and the environmental impact associated with the inevitable abandonment of marginal land.
Ultimately, the suckler sector in Ireland is at a crossroads at which it can go in one of three directions. Continue on the current path and we will see the sector grind to a slow death. There is little point in living in a fool’s paradise: without a targeted support payment, even the most technically efficient suckler farmers will slowly exit the business. This is a fact recognised across the EU.
Ireland is one of only four member states not targeting funds towards the beef sector though the voluntary coupled support mechanism highlighted by Commissioner Hogan. In total, €1.7bn is targeted at the beef and veal sector through coupled payments in 24 member states each year, delivering €100-200 per cow. In contrast, as analysis by Adam Woods showed recently, support payments on suckler farms in Ireland have declined by €177 per cow in the past decade.
An alternative route is for the Government to be up front on where the suckler cow fits into its climate strategy. If the national suckler herd is viewed as an economic liability in climate calculations, as many suspect, then this should be made clear to farmers through an incentivised culling scheme. However unpalatable this may be, it is better than simply grinding the sector to a slow death.
The third and preferred route is where the Government recognises the environmental and economic dividend from maintaining a vibrant suckler herd – including its ability to turn a rough fibre source into a luxury meat protein, close links with the tourism sector and benefits for the economy in regions where alternative employment is limited.
While going this route would require a targeted payment, the climate change challenges cannot be ignored. Any payment or scheme should not be delivered through a scatter-gun approach and should only be available to farmers committed to adopting measures that improve the environmental and economic sustainability of their herd. Linking payment to calves per cow per year, age at first calving and age at slaughter would make a huge contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of our beef as well as maximising farm profitability.
It is time for Government to present its vision for the national suckler herd. Either it recognises its wider value to the rural economy through investment in the upcoming budget and as part of the next CAP reform, or it acknowledges that it sees it as an economic liability in the context of climate change and provides a proper exit strategy for farmers.
Sitting back as the sector grinds to a slow death serves no one’s interests.
Brexit: as farce continues, Government plans should be revealed
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD with UK prime minister Theresa May in Downing Street. \ Martin James Burton
The twists and turns in the UK Conservative party and the rapid passing of time towards the UK’s exit deadline of 29 March 2019 means the possibility of a hard or no-deal Brexit continues to grow.
For farmers in Ireland and Northern Ireland, this would create a crisis unlike anything we have ever experienced before.
We have repeatedly emphasised the need for a contingency plan to deal with this and An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in his interview in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal referenced the need for transition funds if the worst-case scenario comes to pass.
In this worst-case scenario, EU emergency purchases and export refunds would also be needed.
While governments like to keep their plans for worst-case scenarios low key and close to their chest, the time has now arrived for farmers to be told what will be in place after Brexit should the need arise so that they can plan accordingly.
Decisions will soon be made on farms all over Ireland on plans for feeding cattle for next winter.
Farmers need to know that there will be an outlet for them before making the investment in buying and feeding cattle.
Farm Safety Week: staying safe on the farm has to be a year-round priority
We cannot get away from the real dangers associated with farming. Even with a heightened focus during Farm Safety Week, we learned of a number of serious accidents over the past few days – our deepest sympathies go out to all the families and communities affected.
With machinery, livestock, time pressure, age profile and our family farm model, it is difficult to eliminate the risks. However, as outlined in our Focus supplement, they can be reduced through planning. We would like to thank those who gave first-hand accounts as to the impact a farm-related accident can have. We encourage all our readers to sit down as a family this week and discuss farm safety and make a commitment to each other to farm safely every week.
Meanwhile, it is positive to see the IFA appoint a health and safety officer on to its executive team.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed promoting Irish beef on the Government trade mission to China.
As Phelim O’Neill reports, shipments of Irish beef have arrived in China with significant volumes due to be shipped in the coming weeks.
The news will bring little cheer to farmers currently slaughtering cattle with factories having pulled prime cattle prices by €50 per head. A surge in cow slaughterings in the drought conditions has been blamed for price pressure, but as we report, the increase in poor quality cows coming into the system is not significant in the context of the national kill. It raises the question as to why, having invested huge amounts of State resources in reopening the China market, we are allowing the potential to be harvested exclusively by a small number of private meat companies. Matt Dempsey raises this point and asks why Bord Bia cannot take a more active role to ensure the value created is passed back to the primary producer.
Discounted milk: iIt’s time for action
Milk is being sold for 65c/l in some supermarkets. As Eoin Lowry reports, retailers continue to squeeze the price to levels that are unsustainable. Is it time for the Government to introduce minimum pricing for liquid milk similar to the measure proposed for alcohol?
Read more
Farmer Writes: what is the future for the Irish family farm?
Commissioner Hogan acknowledges suckler cow needs support
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