Wicklow IFA attends beef crisis lobby day
WICKLOW IFA representatives welcomed Deputy Pat Casey to a recent IFA lobby day in relation to the beef crisis in Dublin.
Deputy Casey met with Chris Hill, Wicklow IFA Chairman, Angus Wood, IFA National Livestock Chairman, Joe Healy, IFA President, Caroline Farrell, IFA National Farm Family & Social Affairs Chairperson, Brian Rushe, Kildare West Wicklow IFA Chairman and David Egar, Kildare West Wicklow IFA Livestock Chairman.
Speaking at the event, Angus Woods, said a hard Brexit would devastate Ireland’s €3bn beef and livestock sector.
‘IFA estimate the imposition of WTO tariffs in a hard-Brexit will impose a direct cost on the beef sector of €800m per year. The income situation on beef and livestock farms is at crisis point. The latest independent data from Teagasc shows farm incomes are down 16 per cent in 2018 and incomes on cattle are between €10,175 and €15,412,’ he said.
Mr Woods called on local elected representatives to lobby the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed on their behalf.
He said that the Minister must ‘get his act together on this issue before it is too late’.
The IFA presented a detailed set of proposals including an EU Brexit Emergency Support Package to politicians, demanding that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed take urgent action with the EU Commission to address the Beef and Brexit issues.
Mr Woods said IFA has requested that for every 5c/kg change on the price, Minister Creed needs to secure €20 per head additional direct payment compensation.
The IFA proposals to Government and the EU Commission include; 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 and Climate change recommendations which focus on the Teagasc roadmap with no carbon-based production quota.