Suckler sector vital to economic wellbeing of rural Ireland - INHFA

THE Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have welcomed comments made by Minister Charlie McConalogue in support of the country’s suckler sector.

INHFA vic-president Micheal McDonnell stressed the need to protect this sector adding that “any further decline in the sector won’t just impact on the farmers but risks undermining the economic well-being of rural communities.” Our suckler sector is, he stated: “Under serious threat due to ongoing demands to reduce cow numbers in order to deliver on the climate change targets.” This need is, he maintained, “taking precedence over everything else including reasoned discussion on the benefits of suckler farming from a socio-economic and environmental perspective”.

In assessing our farming systems and specifically the suckler sector it is stressed by Mr McDonnell that we consider several points. “With suckler farming dominant in many parts of the country where other farming options are not realistic due to constraints such as soil type, terrain, and fragmented holdings. “Then what impact assessment (both social and economic) has been conducted on any further reduction in suckler numbers across these communities. Will there be a future for our marts in those areas?

“As suckler farming is predominantly extensive in nature, why has there been a reluctance to take on board the EU Commission Report, ‘Grazing for Carbon’. This report has clearly identified the merits of extensive farming systems in relation to sequestering carbon and could provide a vital marketing opportunity for suckler beef.”

Currently Bord Bia have a marketing budget of €2m per year for the promotion of naturally reared suckler beef. If we continue to label suck- ler cows as an issue in relation to climate change and force or encourage a reduction, then this will clearly undermine the promotion of suckler beef.

INHFA believes there is a massive opportunity to market naturally reared suckler beef, both from an environmentally sustainable and ani- mal husbandry perspective.

To do this there needs to be a differentiation between suckler beef and other beef options, but they are concerned there isn’t an appetite with Bord Bia or our meat processors to do this. However, it is important that this is clarified, the INHFA stated.

The INHFA vice-president stressed the need to protect our suckler sector and further stated: “The INHFA will not support any cull of our suckler cows.”