‘Hoping’ for a safety net at the bottom of the Brexit cliff is not enough – IFA

SPEAKING at this morning’s All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit in Dublin Castle, IFA President Joe Healy reinforced the devastating impact that a no-deal Brexit would have on Ireland’s agricultural sector. He outlined the crisis that is already underway in the beef sector and restated his call for mitigation measures to be put in place as a matter of urgency.

Joe Healy, IFA President said “Farmers are already feeling the brunt of Brexit. Uncertainty and the drop in the value of sterling have contributed to a crisis in our beef and pig sector in particular. Hoping that there will a safety net at the bottom of the cliff is not enough. We are already in freefall. We need support now.”

Earlier this week IFA representatives from across the country assembled in Dublin and lobbied TD and Senators from their constituencies on the beef crisis and Brexit.

The IFA presented a detailed set of proposals including;

- An EU Brexit Emergency Support Package involving a comprehensive set of market supports and direct aid for farmers from the EU Commission

- EU state aid limitations on members states must be set-aside - Challenge the meat factories to immediately increase prices and prioritise the young bull kill. Increase factory controls on trim, classification and weights.

- Strong support for the live export trade to double numbers in 2019 and ensure that no further restrictions are imposed on the trade

- Reward quality suckler stock with a significant price premium - Increased funding for suckler to €200 per cow

- Insist on an increase in the CAP budget

- Continue to resist a damaging Mercosur trade deal

- Climate change recommendations which focus on the Teagasc roadmap with no carbon-based production quota.