ICMSA not impressed with exclusion of farmers from action plan

THE exclusion of farmers from a Ten-Point Action Plan to support Dairy Calf to Beef systems has been described as “absurd” by the President of the ICMSA.

Denis Drennan said that while the plan has merit, its potential was hugely undercut by the complete lack of any consultation with the very farmers who would be those supposed to implement the bulk of the actions.

Describing this as both “absurd and disappointing”, Mr. Drennan said this was yet another in the increasingly long line of state initiatives where the government decided on measures without consulting the stakeholders, published their proposals and then engaged in token consultation with the stakeholders afterwards. This approach has been hugely damaging and wasteful and the government needs to reacquaint itself with the actual meaning of consultation.

“ICMSA firmly believes that a vibrant dairy calf to beef system can be developed in Ireland that will deliver probably the most climate-efficient beef production system in the world.

“We were the first to identify this option and we have been the most consistent supporter of the rather half-hearted attempts on the government's part to get it up and going. But we are long past the point where the Minister is going to have to get real.

“Dairy beef production accounts for in excess of 60% of total beef production in Ireland, delivering billions in net foreign earnings for the country while the Minister allocates a measly €6m per annum to support dairy beef production. This is in sharp contrast to, for example, organic farming with an annual budget of €56m and indeed forestry with a budget of €110m for 2024,” Mr Drennan said.

He added: “If the Government is as serious about climate change as they keep insisting they are, then they have to invest in low emissions beef production – and that means the dairy beef potential that's right underneath their nose.

“We need to see a dairy beef calf scheme with a substantial exchequer budget that will deliver a payment for both the calf rearer (subject to certain conditions), and also a payment for the beef finisher. Secondly, the Beef Price Grid needs long-overdue reforms that stop ridiculous penalising of dairy beef – the beef that now comprises the substantial majority of total Irish beef production.”

He said ICMSA could have pointed all this out and helped design a real plan with real capacity to solve a real problem.

“But we weren't even asked. Sooner or later, the Department is going to have to question the wisdom of continuing to have these ‘consultations' with themselves and then coming forward with plans that contain very obvious gaps that could be filled if only they had asked other parties to the problem,” he said.

IFA REACTION

Reacting to the draft Action Plan, IFA Livestock Chairman Declan Hanrahan said the plan lacks the first and most fundamental component, which is a guaranteed return for the financial and labour investment for almost two years to bring these animals to slaughter.

Mr Hanrahan said despite encouraging results from optimum trial conditions on a select few farms, the figures speak for themselves: 60% of farmers who attempted rearing beef calves from the dairy herd leave afterfive years.

He said dealing with the issue of beef calves from the dairy herd is a huge challenge that must be resolved, but expecting beef farmers to take effectively all of the risk for up to two years will not lead to a successful outcome.

The IFA Livestock Chairman recognised the important role the CBV for these calves will play in helping farmers better select the calves they will rear and this must be available for all dairy bred beef calves.

“Maintaining access to our live export markets for calves and growing this market is the most effective way to significantly reduce the rearing requirements in this country and avoid any additional pressure on beef sales,” he said.

If additional calves are to be reared here, then it is vital that additional market outlets are identified to accommodate increased beef production. It is not acceptable to put in place structures to rear calves without a final outlet for them.

The Ten Point Plan places a lot of emphasis on efficiencies, best practice, advice and relationships with dairy farmers and meat processors. All of this is important but lacks detail on the actual returns.

“If the Minister and the sector are really serious about having these calves reared on beef farms, then meaningful targeted payments for beef farmers will be needed,” he said.

IFA has consistently called for a minimum of €100 per calf payment for farmers taking on the rearing of dairy beef calves. This is the minimum level of funding that will be required in order for the system to be adopted on enough beef farms.

This payment must then be built on for the finishing stage and include calves from the suckler herd with another €100/animal payment.

“Beef farmers are available to play their part, but others must step up to the plate to provide the financial resources that will be needed to have a long-term sustainable solution and to avoid a 60% dropout after a few years,” he said.