IFA CALLS FOR RURAL CRIME TASK FORCE
THE IFA has called for the establishment of a dedicated Rural Crime Task Force in the wake of several serious incidents at farms all over the country.
The call was made before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality this week by IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy.
He highlighted how a similar UK task force has been successful in tackling rural crime.
‘Over the last year, several serious incidents have occurred on farms. Many farmers and rural dwellers live in real fear for their safety, which is compounded by geographic and service isolation. Theft of valuables from rural homes and of livestock and machinery from farms is also a major concern,’ he said.
Mr Kennedy said IFA has taken a proactive role in the area of crime prevention.
He highlighted the many joint initiatives it has engaged with An Garda Síochána on, including; Crimestoppers, Community Text Alerts and Theftstop but warned that more must be done.
‘ There is a need for greater patrolling of rural Ireland. Farm families need to see a much greater Garda presence on the road,’ he said.
According to Wicklow IFA chairperson Chris Hill, the local members are supporting national policy in this regard.
‘ This stems from recent crime in north County Dublin where there was a very serious violation of rights. The issues affects the whole country and we do want to see more resources and a greater garda presence. These criminal elements are hugely mobile these days and with mobile phoen technology can stay one step ahead of whoever is after them,’ he said.
Mr Hill added that this increase in crime is pushing huge expense onto farmers who are trying to protect their property and personal safety.
‘What happens then, is the criminals target the farm with the least security,’ he added.
Sheep SALES REPORT – TUESDAY OCTOBER 16: 4,646 Sheep on offer. Better trade for the fat and store lambs, fat ewes and.
all types of breeding ewes similar to last week.
Butcher lambs €102 to €105 or €56 to €60 over €/kg; Factory lambs €94 to €102 or €54 to €60 over €/kg; store lambs €60 to €92 or €38 to €50 over €/kg; Fat ewes €96 to €118 per head; Feeding ewes €64 to €93 per head; Suffolk x breeding Hoggets €120 to €160 per head; Suffolk x 3/4 yr. old ewes €85 to €128 per head; Cheviot Hogget ewes €110 to €157 per head; Cheviot 3/4 yr. old ewes €84 to €132 per head; Suffolk x Ewe lambs €84 to €120 or €43 to €86 over €/kg; Suffolk Rams €300 to €1,000 per head; Charolais Rams €250 to €700 per head; Texel Rams €200 to €600 per head; Cheviot Rams €150 to €850 per head with a top price of €1,650.
CATTLE SALES REPORT – THURSDAY OCTOBER 18: 356 cattle and 47 calves on offer. Trade remains very good for all types.
with a lot of customers at the ringside.
Beef and forward store bullocks € 550 to € 930 over €/ kg; store bullocks over 500kg, € 510 to € 840 over €/ kg; store bullocks over 400kg, € 420 to € 800 over €/ kg; store bullocks over 300kg, € 320 to € 625 over €/ kg; store heifers over 400kg, € 400 to € 640 over €/ kg; store heifers over 300kg, € 360 to € 580 over €/ kg; Beef and butcher heifers € 460 to € 830 over €/ kg; Beef cows € 280 to € 600 over €/ kg; Feeding cows €/ kg to € 250 over €/ kg.
Calves: Friesian bulls €50 to €120 per head; HE/AA bulls €120 to €200 per head; HE/AA heifers €80 to €140 per head; Continental bulls €180 to €340 per head; Continental heifers €140 to €260 per head.
WEANLING SALES REPORT – FRIDAY OCTOBER 19: 366 weanlings on offer .Very lively trade for all classes.
Continental bulls over 400kg, €420 to €620 over €/kg; Continental bulls over 300kg, €380 to €600 over €/kg; Continental bulls over 200kg, €310 to €500 over €/kg; Continental heifers over 400kg, €380 to €570 over €/kg; Continental heifers over 300kg, €310 to €470 over €/kg; Continental heifers over 200kg, €300 to €470 over €/kg.
WEANLING SALE – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17: Big Entry of 780, weanlings met a very strong demand with good feedlot and export trade.
Bulls over 400kg – €850 -€1,560 – €1.90 – €3.02 kg bulls under 400kg – €580 to €1,180 – €1.96 – €3.15kg.
Hfrs over 400kg – €770 to €1,160 – €1.72 – €2.93kg.
Hfrs under 400kg – €460 to €1,140 – €1.66 – €3.12kg.
Prices bulls: 1 Belgian Blue 550kg at €1,390, 1 Belgian Blue 580kg at €1,560, 1 Belgian Blue 436kg at €1,260, 4 Limousin 313kg at €910, 5 Charolais 385kg at €1,040, 4 Charolais 410kg at €1,070, 4 Limousin 502kg at €1,240, 5 HD 256kg at €480; Hfrs: 2 Belgian Blue 380kg at €1,160, 1 Belgian Blue 450kg at €1,210, 5 Charolais 380kg at €900, 4 Limousin 255kg at €670, 4 AA 250kg at €430, 5 Limousin 380kg at €870.