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The ICSA has called for more funding for the vulnerable beef, suckler and sheep sectors, with ICSA president Edmond Phelan saying that the situation for drystock farmers remains critical.
“Suckler, beef and sheep farmers are those who are most in need at this time and where additional spending must be focused.
“While the impact of Brexit on beef has been widely recognised, it must be borne in mind that the sheep sector has also been hit with lower prices. This is directly linked to Irish lamb price being undermined by UK lamb imports which are much cheaper due to sterling weakness.
“ICSA wants to see more support offered to the sheep sector. Sheep farmers need a BEAM-type scheme. In addition, the Sheep Welfare Scheme needs to be extended beyond this year with a higher rate of payment,” he said.
Frustration
The ICSA also expressed "deep frustration" that not all the money available for the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) will be delivered.
“The 5% reduction has been a major sticking point and ICSA wanted the full €100m to be delivered by way of higher payment per qualifying animal.
“Moreover, beef farmers who have killed cattle after the 12 May deadline for BEAM have been hit with the full Brexit impact but are entitled to nothing. This is not fair and ICSA wants to see a payment to reflect cattle killed at unsustainable prices in the period 13 May to 31 December,” he said.
In addition, the ICSA wants to see the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) scheme continued beyond this year to deliver a more meaningful financial gain for sucker farmers.
ICSA wants to see a payment to reflect cattle killed at unsustainable prices in the period 13 May to 31 December
Phelan said that €40m has been earmarked for this in Budget 2020 and that this offers scope for a higher payment per animal.
Buying calves from the dairy herd
The ICSA believes that a payment to farmers to buy calves from the dairy herd is totally counterproductive.
“It will distort the market and undermine the live export trade for dairy calves. The reality is that meat factories and retailers cannot expect farmers to buy calves when beef price is at €3.50/kg or less.
“In any event, it is hard to see how dairy farmers all over Europe would accept aid to the dairy sector given that low cost Irish dairying is competing aggressively with dairy farming in other EU member states.
“The reality is that giving a subsidy to farmers to buy calves from the dairy herd is going to increase the price of calves which will only benefit the dairy farmer rather than the beef farmer.
“In addition, the proposal would further undermine suckler beef because there would be, effectively, a slaughter premium for dairy beef which would not apply to suckler beef. This cannot be justified,” he said.
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