‘Minister can’t ignore case for €200 suckler cows’

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods insists Agriculture Minister Michael Creed can no longer ignore the strong case for €200 for suckler cows.

He pointed out that last week in the Dail, Minister Creed accepted the Fianna Fail motion for €200 for suckler cows as it was clear that any other course of action would have resulted in another defeat for the Government.

The IFA livestock leader said it was clear from the debate in the Dail that the Minister and the Government are under pressure on sucklers, and the impression was given that Minister Creed accepts there is a severe income problem across the livestock sector.

Mr Woods said: “Minister Creed is telling farmers that under state aid rules he cannot pay €200 per cow. IFA has been to Brussels and the EU Commission is clear that Ireland can make a targeted payment of €200 per cow under the animal welfare option in the CAP Rural Development Plan, which can be financed with exchequer funding.

“The resources are there and it a matter of priorities for Minister Creed,” he added.